Demand for the Flexi range of articulated forklift trucks continued to grow strongly throughout 2012.
In the first six months of the year overall sales were up 60 per cent on the corresponding period 12 months earlier and there was no let up in the order intake as 2012 progressed.
The success builds on Flexi Narrow Aisle’s excellent performance in 2011 when annual global orders reached an all-time high.
The company has achieved significant success in developing the international market and Flexis are now sold in over 40 countries worldwide through a distribution network which provides comprehensive after sales service and maintenance back-up.
“We are an internationally focused manufacturing company with great products and a respected brand and this is reflected in the growing number of overseas buyers who are investing in Flexi articulated truck technology,” says John Maguire, Sales and Marketing Director of Flexi Narrow Aisle.
Among the international companies to invest in Flexi Narrow Aisle articulated truck technology during 2012 was leading Italy-based food and drink company, Princes Foods.
Princes ordered Flexi Double Deep articulated forklifts for operation at its 120,000 square metre processing plant in Foggia.
The facility is the largest tomato processing plant in the world and one of the most advanced sites of its kind in Europe.
Princes is rapidly expanding its food business in the European market through a growth strategy which includes mergers and acquisitions and organic development.
Princes’ fleet at Foggia is maintained by Flexi Narrow Aisle’s local Italian distribution partner – part of a well established distribution network operated by Flexi Narrow Aisle throughout Europe.
Meanwhile, ArcelorMittal – the largest steel producing company in the world – improved materials handling efficiency at one of its key European production plants with the acquisition of Flexi trucks.
The company undertook a detailed evaluation of the Flexi trucks over the course of a year at their facility near Liege before switching its fleet to Flexis.
The articulated trucks have replaced electric sideloaders and are being used to transport loads of finished components destined for the automotive sector between ArcelorMittal’s production line and the company’s on-site storage facility.
Since switching to Flexis, ArcelorMittal has reported a significant drop in handling damage as well as notably higher throughput rates.
UK sales are performing well too – with the logistics services, retail and manufacturing sectors being all key markets growing well.
2012 also saw the introduction of some new additions to the Flexi range.
In Spring the company announced the arrival of a new European HiTech version of the Flexi VNA AC truck.
A four-wheel, electric-powered articulated truck, the Flexi VNA AC was first introduced to the UK market during the Autumn of 2010, and has enjoyed significant sales success since – thanks to its ability to work in aisles some 200mm narrower than comparative models.
The new version of the Flexi VNA was adapted in a number of ways to meet the demands of the market in mainland Europe. For example, the new European model has a narrower chassis than the UK version, while electric motor and hydraulic noise has been reduced making the new Flexi VNA AC the quietest truck in its class.
To further enhance productivity and operator comfort, digitally controlled on-demand independent power steering has been introduced, while a low cost fork positioner is also available as an option.
But, like the original UK model, the new European version of the Flexi VNA is designed to offer the fastest, safest work cycles with optimum stability in aisles as narrow as 1600mm wide.
At the heart of the truck is a unique compact front wheel drive axle design which, combined with the four-wheel Flexi VNA’s ability to truly articulate through 220 degrees, allows easy and safe stacking and minimal manoeuvring in the aisleways. In fact, the Flexi VNA AC requires just one turn of the steering wheel to enter or de-stack a pallet – which results in significant productivity benefits.
This summer saw Flexi Narrow Aisle announce the launch of a new 2.5 tonne addition to the Flexi range.
The Flexi AC 2.5T was introduced to meet customer demand for a truck that can lift heavy loads of up to 2.5 tonnes and operate in the narrowest aisleways to maximize productivity and space utilisation.
“Until the launch of the Flexi AC 2.5T, if industrial customers needed a Flexi truck capable of lifting heavy loads to heights of 10 metres or more you invariably had to compromise on space efficiency,” says John Maguire.
“But, with its specially designed slimline chassis, the Flexi AC2.5T operates in aisles as narrow as 1.8 metres wide – enabling operators to make optimum use of the available storage cube.”
The truck’s space efficiency is further enhanced thanks to Flexi Narrow Aisle’s decision not to use wheel arch extensions in the truck chassis design. When operating in narrow aisleways, a wheel arch is the part of a forklift that most frequently comes into contact with racking – causing rack, load or truck damage. But with the Flexi AC2.5T the rear wheels are integrated into the chassis so this risk is eliminated.
The new truck has a host of other design features that combine to offer the highest safety, environmental and production levels.
For example, an integrated Zapi AC Power drive technology gives faster travel speeds, more efficient braking with reduced battery energy consumption.
The latest, low noise ‘whisper’ pump and motor technology ensures smooth and quiet full mast power steering while the truck’s Digital Activated Steering (DAS) system is a feature of the new model and provides effortless on demand independent power steering with lower battery consumption.
The Flexi AC 2.5T features the unique Flexi HiVIS overhead guard with a laser cut cover plate to provide maximum 360 degree operator visibility and industry-leading levels of safety.
“The Flexi AC 2.5T was developed to meet the growing demand from our customers – particularly those operating within the manufacturing arena and the grocery retail sector across Europe -who have a requirement to lift heavier loads, unload two pallets at a time or operate double deep storage systems, but do not want to compromise on space efficiency and productivity,” adds John Maguire.
The first Flexi articulated truck was launched in the early 1990s and since then over 5000 units have been sold throughout the world. Over the past five years the Flexi range has been developed significantly and the trucks can now lift loads weighing 2.5 tonnes and lift to heights of up to 13 metres.
The success of the articulated forklift concept has been built around the fact that its clever design allows it to load and unload trailers like a counterbalance forklift truck and work comfortably within very narrow aisles saving up to 50 per cent of space required without compromising productivity.
The Flexi range continues to be developed to cover the requirements of customers operating in hugely diverse industries.
“Each model in the range has been designed to offer reliable, safe and efficient operation to cover most industry requirements without resorting to ‘customisation’ of one product with the risks that this process can present,” says John Maguire.
He adds: “The last five years have seen tremendous growth in demand for Flexi articulated truck technology from European logistics service companies, retailers and manufacturing companies.
“Demand for our products has remained high throughout the recession due, in part, to their proven ability to reduce logistics costs. But, as the core European countries begin to return to growth, we are seeing increasing interest from companies who want to store more goods for less cost – which is what Flexi trucks are all about.”
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