LWC Drinks Ltd, the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler, has introduced a fleet of space-saving Flexi Truck very narrow aisle (VNA) articulated forklifts across its nationwide estate of distribution depots, including the company’s recently opened new 173,000 sqft. (16,000 sqm) bonded DC in Chadderton, Oldham.

The Oldham site, near Manchester city centre, is twice the size of LWC’s previous local facility at nearby Openshaw and represents an investment of GBP12.5 million (USD16.6 million) for the company.

With a relentlessly demanding delivery schedule and a product range comprised of more than 8,000 lines – including over 1,200 draughts, 500 bottled beers, 200 ciders, 2,800 spirits, 1,500 wines and 1,300 soft drinks - efficient and cost-effective storage systems and reliable materials handling equipment are essential for LWC.

“LWC has long been an advocate of Flexi Truck space-saving technology across its business and the intralogistics systems in operation throughout LWC’s national depot network have been based on Flexi Truck technology for many years,” says John Maguire, managing director of Narrow Aisle Ltd.

“By providing a highly cost-effective format that is reproduced by LWC at all of its sites, Flexi Trucks deliver tremendous space savings within the stores as well as synergies with the company’s other handling equipment that enables LWC’s truck operators’ existing skills to be utilised – an important consideration in the current climate when qualified lift truck drivers are in short supply,” he adds.

The new very narrow aisle Flexi Truck articulated forklifts supplied to LWC are the latest digital Flexi Truck models which require minimal maintenance to ensure optimum up-time.

The drinks wholesaler has introduced a new warehouse management system (WMS) and duty management system at the Oldham site. The IT investment will help standardise LWC’s operations across its distribution network and ensure that the company continues to perform as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Narrow Aisle is providing fleet management and maintenance support services across the LWC national depot network.