Narrow Aisle Flexi has announced the introduction of a unique new product designed to save space and optimise materials handling efficiency and safety within the warehouse, distribution centre or factory.

The new Flexi VNA is the latest addition to the Award winning Flexi range of articulated forklift trucks and is the first four-wheel true articulated truck capable of operating in aisles as narrow as 1.6 metres wide. Its launch means that existing users of guided Man Up and Man Up VNA equipment have the option of direct replacement with a truck which is faster and offered at a lower cost.

At the heart of the Flexi VNA is a unique compact axle design, which, combined with the truck's ability to articulate through 220 degrees, allows standard ISO (Chep type) pallets to be stacked and picked in 1600mm wide aisles. The Flexi VNA's 'true articulation' design means that even is aisles as narrow as 1600mm wide, only two separate movements are required to complete a stack or pick cycle. Trucks that use 'pivot' steering require double the number of movements to complete a stack cycle.

The truck features twin front wheel drive, which means that the weight of the truck and the load is divided between the truck's two front wheels. This important feature means that not only is maximum traction achieved but that tyre wear is reduced significantly.

Because, like all models in the Flexi range, the Flexi VNA is equally comfortable operating both inside and outside, the new truck is fitted as standard with treaded cushion rubber tyres for maximum traction in wet yard conditions. The Flexi VNA's dual front wheel configuration and use of cushion rubber tyres results in unsurpassed performance across a range of surfaces - particularly when compared with the low coefficients of friction offered by the type of single polyurethane drive tyres found on three-wheel reach trucks or three-wheel pivot steer trucks.

The Flexi VNA retains all of the key original design concepts that have made the Flexi range the number one choice for users of articulated truck users throughout Europe. It features Narrow Aisle's True Radius ® chassis which makes turning in the aisle easy and safe, and Narrow Aisle's unique and patented HiVis Cantilever ® operator overhead guard, which improves visibility when stacking at all levels and offers exceptionally high levels of operator protection.

When designing the new model, Narrow Aisle maintained their 'common parts' strategy and therefore the Flexi VNA uses the same proven mostly European component parts that have enabled the Flexi range to earn a reputation for long term reliability and low cost of ownership.

John Maguire, sales and marketing director of Narrow Aisle Ltd, commented: "Since its launch the Flexi has become the most popular articulated forklift truck in Europe. Over 4000 units - not only in Europe but throughout the world - have been sold and we are continuing to develop the Flexi range to cover the requirements of customers operating in hugely diverse industries. The Flexi VNA is the latest addition to the range of articulated forklift trucks that our company has offered for over 30 years."

Independent recognition for new Flexi VNA

The new Flexi VNA has been nominated in the Design Innovation category of the Fork Lift Truck Association's (FLTA) Annual Awards 2010. John Maguire commented: "It is always been pleasing when a product gets this kind of independent recognition for its quality. We are therefore delighted that the significant steps we have taken in the development of this new addition to the Flexi range have been recognised by some of the knowledgeable people in the forklift truck industry."