WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT

Mobile racking

Where floor space is very expensive, a warehouse can be made very compact if the units of racking are movable
by being mounted on rollers. Only enough space for one access aisle is then required, as the operator can
‘move’ the aisle merely by moving the units (by power, by hand wheel or by pushing) to create a way through
to a particular bay. But here, of course, floor space is being saved at the expense of a slowing down in the load-
retrieving and put-away operation. This is mainly utilized for very slow-moving bulk items. It has its
equivalent in mobile shelving, which can be found in museums, libraries and maintenance stores where speed
of retrieval is not crucial.

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FIGURE 10.8 Mobile racking (courtesy of Constructor Group)
VIDEO 10.4 Mobile racking from Bito (https://youtu.be/Tq3WxxlpyB4)
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Satellite or shuttle racking

A recent entrant into the pallet storage market is satellite racking. A satellite system is similar to drive-in
racking. However, it is operated by placing shuttles at the front of the racking, utilizing counterbalance, reach,
articulated or narrow aisle trucks, depending on the height of the racking. The shuttles are controlled
remotely via a radio frequency (RF) battery-operated control system and special channel rails. There are no
aisles and therefore the cube of the warehouse is well utilized, with the use of very long lanes. The storage
system can store pallets within a system that can operate to lengths of 40 metres.

The racking features guide/support rails that run the depth of the rack structure on which an automated
shuttle travels. Pallets are loaded onto a shuttle at the front of the lane, which transports the pallet down to
the far end. The built-in sensors on the shuttle detect the position of existing pallets and place the new load at
a predetermined distance, before returning to the start face. The shuttle is easily moved between lanes by the
forklift truck. Multiple shuttles can be controlled by one forklift truck driver.

Unlike drive-in racking, there is no necessity for the truck to enter the racking and therefore the potential
for damage is minimized and the truck can carry on with other duties while the shuttle places the pallet in the
correct location.

The system operates in first in, last out mode, allowing racking to be set up against a wall of a warehouse,
thereby gaining space. It can also operate with FIFO, using a system that requires a separate aisle at each end.
This method allows for the loading to be done from one side with a forklift truck and the unloading on the
opposite side with another. The system automates the placement of pallets in the storage lane, reducing
loading and unloading cycle times. The honeycomb effect is negated as the shuttle will bring pallets closer to
the point of retrieval. The shuttles will continue to move pallets even when the operator is away from the
racking.

Each level of racking is assigned to a specific product, unlike drive-in racking where every level in each row
has to contain the same product code.

Satellite racking can also utilize the space above the loading bays. As can be seen in Figure 10.9, the pallets
are stored on a LIFO basis in this instance. This area can be used for marshalling loads prior to despatch.

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FIGURE 10.9 Shuttle racking above despatch bays (courtesy of Toyota)

VIDEO 10.5 Radio shuttle technology from BT (https://youtu.be/yfC1uz9xCv8)
This racking can also provide picking areas below as they do not require a forklift truck to enter the area.
Examples of shuttle racking and satellite racking are shown in Figures 10.9 and 10.10.

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FIGURE 10.10 Example of satellite racking (courtesy of Toyota)
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Shuttle technology with a difference

Taking shuttle technology one step further is Retrotech’s ACTIV System.
Their patented technology works like a large sliding puzzle with multiple layers. Pallets input at one end are

deposited onto cable-driven carts that slide along deep storage lanes. The software automatically places loads
into optimal positions based on the order patterns. The difference being that pallets can move both
horizontally and vertically thus overcoming the need to have the same product in each lane.

The ACTIV System can buffer, sort, and stage palletized unit loads in exact loading sequence. Fast movers
are more accessible and slow movers are positioned out of the way, so loads can be staged and sequenced for
trailer loading – 24 hours a day. This also reduces the amount of inbound and outbound space required.

ACTIV users have reported the following:
truck wait times reduced 80 per cent;
80 per cent reduction in warehouse space (five sites consolidated into one);
customer service level performances of 99.5 per cent; and
extensive flexibility to accommodate future business needs and unanticipated changes.
As can be seen in Figure 10.11 the density of storage is excellent.

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FIGURE 10.11 ACTIV in action (courtesy of Retrotech)

As a result of its high-density capability LiDestri Foods were able to absorb 24 hours’ worth of production,
eliminate two outside storage facilities and consolidate all operations into their manufacturing facility.

VIDEO 10.6 ACTIV pallet shuttle system from Retrotech (https://youtu.be/OyS5jHzODU8)

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Very high bay warehouses

These consist essentially of massive blocks of racking, built as an integral structure to a high degree of
precision, and often acting as a support for the building’s roofing and wall cladding. Warehouse heights can
range from 16 metres up to 60 metres. Mast cranes built into the racking structure operate in aisles little wider
than the unit load handled, under computer control, with the unit loads moving automatically into or out of
the racking.

The costs are high, but so is space utilization and operating efficiency and there is little doubt that more of
these warehouses will be built to handle and provide quick access to goods where the range of products is wide
and stock turnover is high.

A typical example is the Quinn Glass high bay warehouse constructed by Stöcklin (see Figure 10.12), which
is 35 metres high and has a footprint of 52,200 square metres. It has the capacity to store 280,000 industrial
pallets.

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FIGURE 10.12 Quinn Glass warehouse (courtesy of Stöcklin Logistik)
Table 10.1 details each type of storage medium and compares it with its rivals, based on a number of

parameters.

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TABLE 10.1 Choosing a warehouse racking system

Pallets stored at

Use of Use of Access to Special Ground level in 4,636

floor cubic Speed of individual MHE Rotation sq. metres (50k Sq. Cost per

space space throughput pallets required of stock Ft.) location*

Adjustable ** ** *** **** No FIFO 1,250 100
pallet
racking

Very *** *** *** **** Yes FIFO 1,600 100
narrow
aisle

Drive-in ***** *** ** * No FILO 2,120 200
racking

Double- *** *** ** ** Yes FILO 1,650 100
deep
racking

Push-back *** *** ** ** No FILO 1,950 500
racking

Gravity **** *** **** * No FIFO 2,400 700
fed
racking

Mobile **** *** * **** No FIFO 2,325 400
racking

Satellite ***** **** *** * Yes FILO 2,500 500
racking

NOTE * The cost column assumes that standard adjustable pallet racking is given a base cost of 100

There are of course many variables that will impact on the price. The main one being pallet size and type
and, for example with drive-in racking, there are different design options and alternative support rails
available. For double-deep racking it would normally be the use of APR but some trucks require a low-level
beam to accommodate reach legs that would increase the price and VNA operational costs will fluctuate
depending on the guidance system used.

In terms of special MHE required we mean anything other than a counterbalance or reach truck.
Comparison data is supplied by Redirack.

Figure 10.13 shows the approximate number of euro pallets that can be stored in ground-floor locations
within a given space in a warehouse based on the type of racking utilized.

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FIGURE 10.13 Warehouse capacity graph: euro pallets (courtesy of Constructor Group)

Figure 10.14 shows the approximate number of UK pallets that can be stored in ground-floor locations
within a given space in a warehouse based on the type of racking utilized.

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FIGURE 10.14 Warehouse capacity graph: UK pallets (courtesy of Constructor Group)

The decision tree in Figure 10.15 enables you to decide on particular types of storage systems based on the
volume of the stock, sales velocity and required access.

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FIGURE 10.15 Two-dimensional decision tree (courtesy of Insight Holdings)
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Other storage media

Cantilever racking

Cantilever racking is an ideal solution for long or heavy items such as pipes, timber, carpet or furniture
storage.

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Mezzanine floors/raised storage areas

Where a warehouse has sufficient height it can be very cost effective to construct a mezzanine floor. Typical
areas are above the inbound and outbound loading bays. This space can be used to construct shelving for
storage and can also be used to undertake value-adding services or can be used for long-term storage.

If the mezzanine is to be used for product storage, you’ll need to ensure it is properly structured to take the
appropriate load, and that the supports are also properly specified. The floor that the vertical supports stand
on will also need to be properly surveyed.
To gain access to your mezzanine you’ll need to consider whether you need a lift, conveyor, steps and any
gates or barriers. For example, if you need to load pallets on to the mezzanine, you’ll need access for your
forklifts.

According to Acorn Warehouse Solutions a mezzanine floor can cost approximately £5.00 per square foot
to construct. This needs to be compared to moving to a larger warehouse and the costs that will incur.

Figure 10.17 shows four mezzanine floors constructed recently for a fashion retailer. The floors will be used
for the storage of hanging garments and to undertake value-adding services.

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FIGURE 10.16 Cantilever racking (courtesy of Locators)
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FIGURE 10.17 Mezzanine floors at Arvato (© Joe Fogg, 2016)
Note that shelving, carousels and vertical lift modules are discussed in Chapter 5.

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Summary

The choice of storage medium very much depends on the type of operation envisaged and whether storage or
throughput is the driving factor.
The decision as to which storage medium to choose also has to take into account the type of MHE required
to access the racking. The different types of equipment will be discussed in the next section.

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Warehouse handling equipment

The challenges of a 24/7 operations culture, together with an ageing workforce, demands for improved
accuracy, shorter lead times and a reduction in cost have galvanized manufacturers into producing handling
systems that require minimal manual input and provide increased throughput levels.

This section reviews equipment currently in use from the humble pallet jack through to robotic systems. It
examines some of the enhancements that have taken place recently and provides comparisons between
different types of handling equipment within the warehouse.

The key principles of materials handling are as follows:

continuous movement is most economic;
economy is directly proportional to size of load;
standardization reduces costs;
mechanization improves efficiency;
gravity is cheap; and
simplicity is the goal.

In choosing the correct equipment we are looking to:

lower unit materials handling costs;
reduce handling time;
conserve floor space;
prevent injuries to staff; and
reduce energy consumption.

It is essential to consider all aspects of an operation in order to ensure that the most suitable equipment is
specified and the best handling solution selected.

Important factors include:

the load and the means of transfer, eg type of pallet;
type of storage;
type of operation;
warehouse dimensions (height and travel distances);
overhead obstructions;
surfaces and gradients;
working area;
work environment (inside or outside or both); and
environmental pressures.

To be able to decide on how to equip our warehouses with the most efficient mechanical handling equipment
we need to undertake the following:

define the functions to be performed;
review all stock items and define their handling requirements;
understand the travel distance and speed relationship;
understand the limits of the building and the structures within it;
evaluate staff capabilities;

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agree a budget; and
evaluate vendors, equipment alternatives and relative costs.

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Horizontal movement

Examples of horizontal movement equipment include the following:
hand pallet trucks (HPTs), pallet jacks;
powered pallet trucks (PPTs);
tractors/tugs;
automated guided vehicles (AGVs); and
conveyors.

Note also that all the vertical movement equipment discussed below can also undertake horizontal
movements.

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Hand pallet trucks (HPT)

An HPT has a hydraulic pump to enable the operator to lift a pallet sufficiently to be able to move it across
the warehouse floor. It is a cost-effective piece of equipment to move pallets across short distances. It can also
be used to manoeuvre pallets within the racking or on the back of a trailer or container. They have a lift
capacity up to 2,500 kg approx.

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Powered pallet trucks

These are battery operated and are used for loading, unloading, picking and pallet-transfer duties to and from
the receiving and despatch areas. They can be supplied as pedestrian, stand-on or seated versions.

The choice of truck will depend on pallet throughput per hour and distances travelled within the
warehouse.

These also have a lift capacity from 1,500 kg to 2,500 kg depending on the model.

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Tow tractors/tugs

These are utilized where distances between points within the warehouse are long and there is a requirement to
move a number of pallets at the same time. Pallets can be loaded onto trailers coupled to each other and towed
or trammed to the required location. Typical examples are the movement from the manufacturing facility to
the warehouse where they are within the same building or adjacent to each other.

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Automated guided vehicles

The use of automated guided vehicles is growing in popularity as companies struggle with a shortage of skilled
labour, high labour costs and 24/7 operational requirements. Couple this with a reduction in cost and AGVs
become a feasible alternative to man and machine for moving pallets horizontally throughout the warehouse
and for loading and unloading palletized vehicles.

These AGVs can be wire guided, magnetic or gyroscopic. They can also use cameras to record their
movements and then memorize them for the next trip.

A recent innovation has been the laser-guided truck. Using special reflective surfaces placed throughout the
facility, the automated laser-guided vehicle continuously checks its position and path as it is controlled by the
WMS.

By combining voice picking with laser-guided trucks, productivity increases can be up to 80 per cent, with a
typical ROI of two years.

There is no requirement for the picker to collect pallets or take completed picks to the despatch area. Once
a pallet is full, it automatically travels to the transfer point at the end of the aisle. While this is happening,
another AGV is already bringing a new, empty pallet from the store, so that the picker’s actual job – picking –
is not interrupted. Automated guided vehicles carry the full pallets to a stretch wrapper, where it is wrapped in
foil, ready for despatch. The system sends all the essential despatch information to an integrated printer,
which then prints this data onto a label attached to the finished pallet.

Customers using this system are reporting not only a doubling of the pick rate to some 400 packages per
hour, but also a 60 per cent lower error rate. Another advantage of this solution is that the picking pallet can
always be adjusted to the ergonomically optimum loading height for the picker.

Additional advantages include the automated transport of picked pallets on to despatch. Each of these
factors contributes to a quick return on investment.

The advantages of automated vehicles are as follows:

computer or hand controlled;
more durable than people;
less strain for operators getting on and off trucks;
long-distance and/or high-density traffic;
fitted with security sensors and guards;
limited potential for damage;
reliable; and
do not cause bottlenecks.

The disadvantages are that they are initially expensive, fully reliant on the RF system within the warehouse
and may require a specially designed and obstruction-free floor area.

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FIGURE 10.18 Automated guided vehicle (courtesy of Dematic)
VIDEO 10.7 Seegrid Corporation Automated Guided Vehicle (https://youtu.be/ZTaVza37RFE)

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Conveyors

Conveyors can also be utilized to transport pallets within a warehouse; however they can be barriers to other
operations.

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Vertical and horizontal movement

In order to take advantage of the cubic capacity of a building, pallets or unit loads need to be lifted into
position. Forklift trucks are differentiated by their lift-height capability, weight capacity and turning circle.
These trucks have become a great deal more sophisticated with onboard computer screens and cameras, as can
be seen in Figure 10.19.

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FIGURE 10.19 Internal view of computerized forklift truck (courtesy of Atlet)
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Pallet or ‘Walkie’ stacker

These trucks are used for moving pallets around the warehouse and when required can lift pallets up to 5
metres. They can be pedestrian, ride-on, stand-in or seated.

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FIGURE 10.20 Pallet stacker (courtesy of Locators)

CASE STUDY

Asda Walmart has recently introduced the pedestrian operated Mini Bendi into their back of store operations.
(See Figure 10.23.)

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FIGURE 10.21 Aisle width calculation, CBT
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FIGURE 10.22 Reach truck aisle width calculation
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FIGURE 10.23 Mini Bendi (courtesy of Bendi)

As a business, Asda constantly looks at ways to separate pedestrians and forklift trucks in order to minimize
the risk of accidental collisions. However, when segregated it can often lead to cube productivity inefficiencies.
With the new truck they no longer need to compromise. Simon Grass of Asda comments:

The Mini Bendi allows us to significantly drive the use of the cube in our back of house areas as it can work
in the narrow aisle format and maximize the usable height available but due to its way of working that
allows us to have pedestrian pick within the same area permitting the stores to drop and fill effectively. This
supports the reduction in the building footprint and thus improves the building’s selling efficiency as we can
either build a smaller store or increase the selling sq ft. It also allows us to lower the height of the building
as we can now store as many pallets above ‘pedestrian pick’ in narrow aisles, as we could in the reach truck
aisles at height, which is especially welcomed by the local planning authorities in certain areas of the
country.
As discussed above fork lift trucks are differentiated by their lift height capacity, carrying capacity and turning
circle.
In order to calculate the aisle width required for particular forklift trucks we need to use a formula which

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takes into account the size of load, the truck’s outer turning radius and the truck’s lost load centre which is the
horizontal distance from the centreline of the front axle to the front face of the forks. The formula should also
include a margin for ‘operator clearance’.

The official formula for working out the minimum ninety-degree stacking aisleway dimension (known as
Ast4 or Ast3), is shown as:

WA + LLC + L
where:

WA = Forklift truck outer turning radius
LLC = Forklift truck’s lost load centre
L = Length of load
Tony Sellick from Fork Lift Training suggests adding a further 300 mm for operator clearance.
(http://www.fork-lift-training.co.uk/buyersguide/forklift-aislway-turning-dimensions.html)
With regard to the reach truck the following formula applies.

WA + LLC + L-R plus 230 mm (operator clearance)
where:

WA = The forklift truck’s outer turning radius
LLC = Reach truck’s lost load centre
R = The reach distance
L = Length of load

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Counterbalance forklift trucks (CBTs)

CBTs are the most common trucks to be found in a warehouse. They are fast, flexible and versatile, but the
major disadvantage is that in order to stack or retrieve a pallet they must approach the face of the pallet at 90°
square. Thus, the turning circle of the truck determines the minimum aisle width.
CBTs can be 3-wheel or 4-wheel trucks. Three-wheel CBTs have a turning radius of between 1,335 and
1,660 mm.

Four-wheel CBTs have a turning radius ranging from 1,710 to 2,705 mm. These figures may differ
depending on the truck manufacturer.

They are powered by diesel, battery, LPG or CNG. They can operate both inside and outside the
warehouse.

CBTs can carry palletized goods to and from racks up to 7 metres high and require aisles of 3.5 metres or
more in width. They have been the workhorse of the warehouse for over 60 years because of their flexibility in
being able to work both inside and outside the warehouse.

To increase storage capacity by making better use of the floor space available it is possible to reduce aisle
widths by utilizing different types of trucks.

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Reach or straddle trucks

These trucks are ideal for working within narrower aisles. Unlike the CBT they carry the load within the
wheelbase. They are able to work in aisles of around 2.7 metres. However, most companies will increase the
aisle width to 3 metres. They have a maximum lift height of up to 12 metres. They can operate in single and
double-deep racking environments. As can be seen in Figure 10.24 the aisle is reasonably narrow, but not as
narrow as those operated in by articulated and very narrow aisle trucks.

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FIGURE 10.24 Reach truck (courtesy of Atlet)
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Narrow aisle or turret trucks

These trucks are designed to operate with little more aisle space than their own width. The normal aisle width
of a very narrow aisle truck is approximately 1.6 metres. Operating this type of truck can add approximately 33
per cent to storage capacity through the adoption of narrower aisles.

There are disadvantages, however.
Cost is a major factor as can be seen in Table 10.2 on page 309.
The use of man-up VNA trucks requires large transfer gangways at both ends of each aisle to allow these
trucks to switch aisles – unless, of course, you have the luxury of operating one truck per aisle.
Furthermore, there are safety issues associated with picking because reaching out from a fixed cab to pick a
carton and place it on a pallet some distance away is not ergonomic or efficient.
A man-up VNA truck operator who is working 15 metres in the air will often struggle to notice another
order picker working at ground level in the same aisle, thereby compromising order-picking efficiency and
health and safety within sites where there is a high degree of low-level order picking. This can be overcome
by insisting that no truck is allowed in the aisle when picking is taking place, although this isn’t the most
efficient use of resources.
Man-down trucks can, to a degree, overcome the safety problem; however, these aren’t as efficient, with no
capability of picking cartons from height and retrieval and put-away can take longer.

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TABLE 10.2 Comparison chart for MHE (courtesy of Locators)

Aisle width Lift capacity in kg Cost from
(mm)
Product type Lift height 1,800 from To (£) To (£)

Hand pallet, truck, N/A 2,400 1,000 3,000 250 1,000
pallet jack 2,400–3,000

Powered pallet truck N/A 2,650–3,150 500 3,000 2,000 10,000
1,000 2,000 5,000 15,000
Powered pallet stacker 1,350–6,300 3,000–6,000
mm
1,600
Reach truck 3,000–12,500 1,600 1,000 2,500 15,000 35,000
mm
1,600
Counter-balance truck 3,000–7,200 1,300 5,000 12,000 40,000
mm 1,600–2,300

Low-level order picker N/A 1,600–2,200 1,600 2,500 6,000 12,000
1,000 1,200 10,000 24,000
Medium-level order 2,000–4,700
picker mm

High-level order picker 4,700–9,500 1,000 1,200 20,000 36,000
mm

Combination truck 3,000 –16,000 1,000 1,500 40,000 80,000
mm

Articulated forklift Up to 12,500 1,000 2,000 29,000 40,000
truck mm

NOTE Prices at May 2017 UK only. Courtesy of Locators Ltd

A recent innovation is Jungheinrich’s Warehouse Navigation System for Very Narrow Aisle Trucks.

The VNA continually feeds back its location via transponders in the floor of the warehouse. Orders received
from the warehouse management system are transmitted to the truck’s radio data terminal. The terminal’s
logistics interface translates and passes on this information directly to the truck controller (not the driver).
This means the truck knows the exact destination to approach. The driver simply has to give the travel/lift
command and the truck approaches the pallet location automatically in diagonal travel in the most efficient
way possible.

The advantages are as follows:

efficiency increased by up to 25 per cent;
alleviates driver stress;
automatic responses without scanning;
preventing incorrect put-away and retrieval; and
less damage on the racking.

VIDEO 10.8 Jungheinrich transponder technology (https://youtu.be/o8PV4ZAsh7o)

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Articulated forklift trucks (Flexi, Bendi, Aisle Master)

The introduction of articulated trucks has overcome a number of issues, including the flexibility of being able
to operate the same forklift truck inside and outside the warehouse. However, these trucks are akin to a
wellknown yeast extract product – you either love them or you hate them; there doesn’t appear to be any
centre ground. Training can potentially take longer than for an equivalent truck and put-away and retrieval
times will vary depending on the ability of the driver. Bendi are confident that their trucks can produce
increased productivity figures in similar aisle widths to a VNA truck.

Until the articulated truck was introduced, companies had little alternative but to operate a two-truck
system with a counterbalanced truck working outside and feeding a reach truck inside the warehouse. With
the arrival of articulated trucks, users can eliminate this often costly and generally inefficient arrangement.
Articulated forklift trucks load and unload vehicles and deliver pallets directly to the racking in a single
operation. By doing so, they increase efficiency and productivity while abolishing double handling and the
costs associated with running a larger truck fleet than is necessary.

VIDEO 10.9 Articulated FLT from Translift Bendi (https://youtu.be/QwR-wem7s-Q)
The truck manufacturers argue that during a typical work cycle over a one-hour period a reach truck will move
25 pallets; over the same time and doing the same job, an articulated forklift can potentially move up to 35
pallets, according to John Maguire of Narrow Aisle Flexi Limited.

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FIGURE 10.25 Articulated forklift truck (courtesy of Locators)

CASE STUDY Narrow Aisle Flexi

The international automotive supplier Brose has been using Flexi Euro articulated trucks in their JIS factory
supplying Mercedes in Sindelfingen since August 2008. These trucks are suitable for very narrow aisles and
have created more space in their existing line side warehouse.

The products produced at the Brose factory are door systems for the Mercedes S, C and E ranges.
A further order for a new Mercedes range as well as the increasing production depth urged manager Jan
Francke, who is responsible for the two Brose factories in Sindelfingen and Rastatt, to react early enough. An
external canopy for the factory in Sindelfingen for storing empties had already been planned when head of
logistics at the Sindelfingen factory, Dana Mühlenhof, came across the concept of the Flexi articulated forklift
trucks.
Narrow Aisle Flexi had recently adapted its truck for the market in Germany. The main advantages of the
British-designed Flexi Euro forklift trucks are that they can work in an aisle width of only two metres at a
capacity of up to two tonnes.
With two Flexis, Brose has replaced two standard forklifts whilst their tests showed they would have
required at least three reach-type trucks due to the slow mast movements.
The reach truck had been dismissed because of its width and low productivity. ‘If we used conventional
reach trucks we would have had to increase the distance between the pallets and consequently would have lost
too much space,’ explains Dana Mühlenhof.
Since August 2008 Brose has been using two Flexi Euro trucks. In fact, the only disadvantage of these Flexi

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trucks is their comparatively lower speed compared with counterbalance forklifts. ‘Due to this we have
calculated additional time of 5 per cent, which is in fact much better than the reach truck tested,’ says Jan
Francke. This 5 per cent, however, has to be seen in relation to the longer distances which would have needed
to be travelled, resulting from an expansion of the warehouse. ‘By using Flexi we could keep our optimized
material flow in the factory,’ emphasized Mühlenhof.

The Flexi Euro is unique in that it was developed especially for customers in Germany who need to handle
the Euro Alliance pallet in a 2-metre aisle without the extra cost of guidance systems or special floors and
conform to the aisle security standards DIN15185 Part 2 required in Germany.

Thanks to the efficiency of the new Flexi Euro trucks, Brose could create a very compact storage layout at
the factory in Sindelfingen. The remodelling of the storage racks was done simultaneously with the
introduction of the new trucks. ‘Instead of an aisle width of 4 metres we are now mainly working with a
distance of only 2 metres,’ says Francke.

Another way of reducing aisle widths without investing in expensive very narrow aisle trucks is the Translift
SpaceMate which is designed to fit onto any conventional forklift to enable narrow aisle performance without
affecting the sideways stability of the machine. It can easily be removed allowing the forklift to carry out its
conventional duties.

Quick release hydraulic couplings allow easy mounting of the SpaceMate and its patented design via
hydraulically sequenced movements make the stacking of pallets simple and effortless although some would
argue rather time consuming. It has a 1,500kg capacity and can operate in 1,800mm or 2,000mm aisle widths.
It also has onboard rechargeable batteries.

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FIGURE 10.26 The Translift SpaceMate
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Sideloaders

The Sideloader is designed to handle long-loads safely. By eliminating the need to travel with elevated long
loads, the unit provides greater stability. Its integrated platform with low centre of gravity also provides a more
stable base.

A recent innovation is the hydrostatic all-wheel drive truck which differentiates itself from the traditional
sit-down sideloaders by offering operators the opportunity to drive in all four directions.

The Combilift SL allows companies to have the benefits of narrow aisles, superior manoeuvrability and the
ability to block or bulk stack by driving forwards.

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FIGURE 10.27 Combilift sideloader (courtesy of Locators)
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AGV stackers

A recent entrant into the MHE market is the AGV, which has the ability to lift pallets into the racking. The
recent IMHX exhibition in the UK in 2016 saw a number of companies launch their version of an AGV,
which can stack pallets at various heights.

The driverless Linde K MATIC VNA order picker shown overleaf enables pallets to be autonomously
stored at and retrieved from heights of up to 12 metres.

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Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS)

This system (see Figure 10.29 on p 310) utilizes fixed path cranes to collect pallets at the front of the racking
system and transport them to empty locations within the racking. In order to improve productivity, the system
collects a full pallet from the racking and deposits it at the front of the aisle prior to collecting another pallet.
This dual-command system or task interleaving is very efficient. The crane can travel horizontally and
vertically simultaneously, thus reducing travel time between pick up and put down.

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FIGURE 10.28 Linde AGV picking truck
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