Here at Narrow Aisle Limited, otherwise known as Flexi Narrow Aisle® we have been pioneers of articulated truck design and both narrow and very narrow aisles since 1976. 49 years of moving, lifting, stacking, and building a legacy that goes way beyond the warehouse floor.
Managing Director at Narrow Aisle Ltd
Our Flexi® articulated forklift truck range rolled out in 1990, 35 years ago, and it’s been delivering for the industry ever since with over 15,000 units sold in over 70 countries.
We are specialists in our craft and have dedicated our time to one articulated forklift truck range, with 5 main models. Your space really is our expertise. Celebrated for its unmatched versatility and precision in navigating narrow aisles, Flexi® has become a game-changer in the world of warehouse and logistics operations.
Donald Houston, Managing Director of Narrow Aisle Ltd spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What are your best-known products/solutions/services?
Since 1990 we’ve led the way in articulated truck design with our iconic Flexi range, delivering space-saving solutions and more efficient load handling for our customers. We offer market leading after-sales support, short-term rentals and comprehensive warranties. Our five-model range allows us to cater for all articulated truck applications, whether New, Used or short-term Rental we have a tailored product solution to suit all customer needs and budgets.
How do you think your industry sector is performing at the moment?
2025 has been a challenging year for the material handling sector. Tough trading conditions, tariffs and political conflicts in international markets and a slower reduction in interest rates have all impacted customer decisions with regard to investment in material handling equipment.
How many markets are you in and what is your biggest market?
We sell Flexi’s in over 70 countries worldwide. The UK is the most mature market for articulated truck operations with international markets continuing to grow. We continue to raise awareness of our product and the benefits it delivers in international markets through a number of publications, with moderate growth recorded in several developing regions for our product.
What are your most recent product innovations?
In 2025 we redesigned our electrical system which saw a marked improvement in efficiency, safety and thermal capacity for ambient temperatures. We also achieve reduced energy costs and a longer runtime per battery charge. In addition, the new system significantly reduces service time and provides an easier installation of parts for engineers.
Can you tell us about any recent customer contract wins or projects and how you helped the customer meet their challenges?
I am delighted to announce that we have grown an existing relationship with our friends at W.H.Bowker to supply more Flexi® across a number of their sites. Joe Caunce, General Manager based at their Thorne Distribution Centre had this to say: “Our partnership with Narrow Aisle continues to go from strength to strength and we love the Flexi®. The customised, ‘Bowker Blue’ Flexi® trucks continue to help us maximise every inch of storage and keep operations running smoothly. We’re expanding our fleet with additional Flexi® to meet growing demand and once again, the Narrow Aisle team continue to deliver on time and to our needs. Their reliability, innovation and commitment to our business continue to make them a valued partner and part of our success.”
What is your strategy for growth and success in 2026?
2026 for Flexi® is about getting even closer to our customers and continuing to consistently exceed their expectations through our consistent and professional approach. We plan to continually develop relationships with our supply partners to promote our brand while supporting them and achieving mutual success.
Can you tell us about any areas, such as in AI, where you’re currently making technical advances?
We have invested well this year in a new CRM which brings a whole host of AI features and capabilities. Also, we are currently trialling an internal chat bot to support our engineers on the road with easy access to search functions for part numbers etc.
Can you foresee autonomous mobile robots and goods-to-person systems becoming more mainstream to improve efficiency and reduce manual labour?
Absolutely. With the labour challenges in the UK and other markets, companies are looking to invest in automation. This is already visible at material handling exhibitions with a number of new businesses promoting these services in our sector.
Is the industry placing a greater emphasis on sustainability?
Yes, it is. Firstly, our entire range of forklift trucks are wholly electric, in addition, we have recently been awarded the Gold Standard Award for the recent IMHX exhibition for sustainability which we are immensely proud of.
Are robust cybersecurity measures becoming a greater priority?
They are indeed. You read more and more every day in the press about businesses being targeted so it is more important than ever to make sure you have the right safety precautions in place.
Are you placing greater emphasis on employee wellness such as investing in ergonomic environments and mental health support?
Yes, we are and it is so important. At Flexi®, we believe that every colleague deserves to feel supported, every workplace should make mental wellbeing a priority and every conversation can make a difference. Safety isn’t just about what happens on the warehouse floor, it’s about building an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Is the shift toward decentralised digital platforms changing business models?
Yes, we’re definitely seeing decentralised digital platforms change business models in materials handling. Instead of just selling equipment, there’s a growing shift toward connected, data-driven services. For example, digital fleet platforms now let operators share performance data and track utilisation across sites.
Is the industry being agile enough in adapting to shifting global trade regulations?
This is difficult to address in the current economic climate as we are seeing things that are unprecedented and having to react accordingly. The impact of tariffs for example is not something that could have been planned for in advance but certainly here at Flexi® it is high on our agenda to try to predict as fast as we can to be agile to adapt to change.
What sets your company apart from others?
We are dedicated specialists in articulated fork trucks. All aspects of our business are invested and focused on delivering the best product, with the best support in our market. Our brand is truly recognised as a genuine world leader in our articulated forklift sector and we employ the best workforce in the industry. Our wide portfolio of ‘beyond the truck’ support including service, training, parts supply, short term rentals and used truck sales offerings enhance our already outstanding product to provide a market leading holistic solution.
How future-proof and flexible are your solutions?
Extremely. The future will always be about efficiency and maximising space utilisation which our product is designed for. We are ideally positioned to meet these challenges head on.
How would you sum up your company in three words?
Reliable, Dynamic and Evolving.
NARROW AISLE
0121 557 6242
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