Articulated forklift truck technology pioneer Flexi Narrow Aisle announced the introduction of its new Warehouse Systems Division at the recent intralogistics show IMHX 2013 at the NEC in Birmingham.

The new Division has been launched to offer a comprehensive range of warehouse planning and design consultancy services to the logistics and materials handling industry. It has been designed to remove the obstacles that obstruct getting access to its warehouse products and trucks. The niche manufacturer has joined forces with a UK partner to create the unique division, that will offer a service that will allow users to upgrade their existing facilities so they can be re-configured and extend the equipment's cost-effective life.

“Flexi Warehouse Systems will offer impartial advice on a broad spectrum of warehouse based intralogistics solutions. Its aim will be to offer the most space efficient and cost effective system for each application – even if the solution does not involve articulated or VNA trucks,” explained John Maguire, Flexi Narrow Aisle’s sales and marketing director.

John Maguire added: “Using warehouse planning and throughput simulation software and drawing on the many years’ experience of the Flexi Warehouse Systems development team, the Flexi Warehouse Systems Division will deliver tailored and impartial input and advice to any intralogistics development process.”

John explained that the new Warehouse Systems Division will use Flexi's 30 years of experience to help the development of customers’ projects looking at all the elements that influence the efficiency of their operation, "especially the concept of compressing the project timeframe to accelerate implementation and therefore payback starts earlier. This attribute is very important in the e-fulfillment and third party logistics sector, where fixed contract terms and customers needing early fulfillment start dates is critical."

By using Flexi's team of experts with their skills and experience of successfully supplying intra-logistics solutions to the warehousing industry over many years,  the manufacturer will incorporate CAD, modelling and other partners in WMS, storage systems and materials handling equipment to optimise the efficiency of any given warehouse space to provide the most cost effective solution in a much faster timeframe, and at lower cost, than has previously been possible.

The company had a dedicated Flexi Warehouse Systems stand as part of the 3PL Pavilion in  Hall 17 at IMHX featuring live demonstrations of the application of computer aided design in modern high bay warehouses.

In addition to the launch of its Warehouse Systems Division, Flexi Narrow Aisle also highlighted the range of models from its top selling articulated forklift and VNA truck systems, including the latest technological developments to optimise and increase product movements and create a safer working environment in modern warehouses.

Flexi Narrow Aisle was formed in 1976 as a provider of forklift based space saving solutions for the warehousing industry; the company developed the Flexi articulated truck in 1990’s since which time many thousands of units have been sold throughout the world to customers operating in hugely diverse industries.

With their ability to operate in aisleways as narrow as 1.6 metres – articulated to 220 degrees - and lift pallet loads to heights of over 12 metres, Flexis can save warehouse operators at least 30 per cent of their storage costs. Furthermore, the ability to unload pallets from road vehicles or goods in marshaling areas and deliver loads directly to the storage racks can reduce existing handling costs by a further 50 per cent.

One of the latest additions to the Flexi range – the Flexi VNA – was named ‘Les coups de coeur’ – the ‘Best in Show-Innovation Material Handling’ product at the recent Manutention International Materials Handling and Intralogistics exhibition in Paris, France.

Also launched at the show was a new division developed to offer forklift truck users with training: the Flexi training division. This is aimed at offering a higher level of training for fork lift operators, helping to reduce and manage risk.

“IMHX was an excellent opportunity for visitors to take a close look at the latest Flexi articulated forklift truck technology and systems and discover for themselves the long list of benefits that Flexi Warehouse Systems can offer,” concluded John Maguire.