 Norish has deployed new models from the Flexi LiTHiON range |
Third-party multi-temperature warehousing and logistics network Norish has introduced lithium-ion battery-powered Flexi articulated VNA truck technology at its cold store facility at Brierley Hill in the West Midlands.
The company, which has used Flexi VNA trucks throughout its business for some 15 years, opted to replace its lead-acid battery Flexis at the facility with new models from the Flexi LiTHiON range.
The fully integrated Flexi LiTHiON's lithium-ion power system requires zero maintenance and no battery changing to deliver extended multi-shift availability - making the Flexi LiTHiON the ideal solution for modern temperature-controlled stores.
One of the key benefits of the switch to lithium-ion technology is recharging while the operator is taking a regular break from the cold store. This not only maximises truck uptime but also significantly reduces the requirement for Norish to allocate valuable floor space within the building to a dedicated spare battery charging and changing bay.
"Within any type of cold storage facility, it is essential to get maximum product density: the more pallets we can get into the warehouse, the lower our operating and energy costs are," says Stewart Lloyd, national engineering director at Norish. "The combination of high density VNA (very narrow aisle) pallet racks and Flexi LiTHiON trucks allows us to maximise storage density and get great individual pallet accessibility," he adds.
John Maguire, managing director of Narrow Aisle Ltd, adds: "Cold storage is one of the most demanding applications for materials handling equipment and Norish has deployed Flexi articulated forklift truck technology across its various business units for many years. The benefits of lithium-ion battery technology for trucks operating within cold stores and the advanced ultra-reliable digital drive technology at the heart of the Flexi LiTHiON made Norish's decision to deploy Flexi LiTHiON trucks at its Brierley Hill site an easy one."