With the rising costs of warehouse space per square foot, maximising the efficiency of your existing facility has never been more critical. Every inch matters when overheads are climbing, and inefficiencies can quickly eat into your profits. But is automation the only way forward?
The Limitations of Automation
While Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and other warehouse automation technologies offer significant advantages, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Autonomous fork trucks require a high degree of standardisation, making them ideal for handling palletised goods or uniform raw materials up to 24 feet in length and weighing up to 5 tonnes. However, beyond these limitations—when dealing with varied dimensions or fabricated products—automation still falls short.
Additionally, unless you are prepared to invest heavily in the latest automated loading systems, traditional forklifts remain essential for loading, offloading, and transferring products between warehouses or outdoor storage areas. So, what options are available for businesses that want to optimise their warehouse space without committing to full automation?
Maximising Storage Efficiency
The first step in warehouse optimisation is ensuring that you are making the most of your available storage space. Regardless of the materials you handle, a well-planned layout can eliminate wasted space and significantly enhance efficiency. By optimising storage design, businesses can boost profitability by up to 50%—all without the need for expensive facility expansions or relocations.
To support companies in achieving this, Combilift offers a free, no-obligation warehouse and storage design service. This service focuses on enhancing throughput while maximising storage capacity, providing a tailored approach to warehouse optimisation at no cost.
Choosing the Right Equipment
Beyond layout improvements, selecting the appropriate materials handling equipment plays a crucial role in improving operational efficiency and maximising space.
Aisle Master: The Ultimate Space-Saving Solution
For businesses handling palletised goods in narrow aisles but requiring the flexibility to load and offload trucks, the Aisle Master is an ideal solution. Designed for Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) applications, Aisle Master trucks eliminate the need for multiple forklift types by seamlessly operating both indoors and outdoors. Their ability to transition from yard to rack without double handling significantly boosts productivity.
Unlike traditional VNA trucks, Aisle Masters do not require super-flat floors to function efficiently. Their large rubber tyres allow operation on semi-rough or uneven terrain, making them suitable for various environments, including cold storage and yard work. With the capability to operate in aisle widths as narrow as 1.6m, and with lift heights of up to 15m, these trucks can increase storage capacity by up to 50% within an existing warehouse footprint.
Multidirectional Forklifts: Handling Bulky and Long Loads Safely
Traditional warehouse setups relying on counterbalance and reach trucks often struggle with space optimisation, especially when handling long or bulky loads. These machines require wide aisle widths and may pose safety risks when transporting oversized materials.
A superior alternative is the Combi C-Series, a multidirectional forklift designed to handle long loads in tight spaces. This innovative machine functions as three forklifts in one: a sideloader, counterbalance, and narrow aisle forklift. Its unique ability to change wheel direction instantly enables movement in all directions, allowing businesses to transport long loads through narrow doorways and tight storage areas with ease and safety.
With aisle widths as narrow as 2 metres no matter the length of the material handled, the Combi C-Series eliminates double handling, reduces the risk of product damage and enhances productivity—all while improving overall safety.
Warehouse Optimisation Without Full Automation
In today’s competitive market, businesses cannot afford to underutilise their warehouse space. While automation offers advantages, it may not always be the best fit for every operation. By redesigning layouts and investing in the right materials handling equipment, companies can unlock significant storage potential, improve efficiency, and reduce costs—all without the need for full-scale automation.
Ready to optimise your warehouse? Visit www.combilift.com/warehouse-planning to discover how much space you can save.
