Aisle-Master is the Space Maker
April 1st 2008

The Aisle-Master articulated forklift is one of the most versatile and cost effective pieces of equipment introduced in the materials handling, logistics and warehousing sectors for many years

The range is designed and fully manufactured in Co. Monaghan, Ireland, with customers around the world in locations as diverse as Alaska and Australia. The 3PL, food, pharmaceutical, beverage, DIY and manufacturing industries are just some of the sectors which have adopted the one-truck Aisle-Master system rather than using an unwieldy combination of counterbalance and reach trucks for space-saving and simplified offloading, handling and storage operations.

Replaces reach and counterbalance trucks By replacing reach and counterbalance forklifts with the articulated Aisle-Master, working aisle-widths can be reduced and storage capacity can be vastly increased – in fact up to 50% extra pallet density can be achieved. This is of great benefit in times of booming property prices, as it can eliminate the need for relocation. As the Aisle-Master is specifically designed to work both inside and out, it incorporates features such as cushioned tyres for operation on unpaved yards. This cuts out double handling and speeds up "truck to rack" transportation. This versatility also cuts down on fleet numbers, reducing maintenance and associated costs." Electric and LPG Since Aisle-Master added electric trucks to its original LPG range in the last three years, it has enabled the food manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors, for example, to take advantage of the benefits of the Aisle-.Master system. "The electric range is very popular, "comments MD Gerry McHugh: "We work with the best battery component suppliers in the business to ensure outstanding performance and extra long battery life for uninterrupted shifts." Safety, comfort, reliability All the fundamental aspects of the truck's design guarantee the highest level of operator safety and comfort, from the 4- post overhead guard for maximum driver protection, the ergonomics of the controls, down to the high quality seating. Reliability and ease of maintenance were high on the list when the trucks were designed, and their excellent track record of reliable operation is testimony to the quality engineering that goes into each Aisle- Master.

Benefiting from Aisle-Master fleets Protec Direct, a leading stockist and distributor of PPE, protective clothing, work and leisure wear has replaced its reach and counterbalance trucks with 5 Aisle-Masters following growth in business, which meant that the company was running out of space.

The abilities of the trucks to work in very narrow aisles created an extra 700 pallet spaces, allowing Protec Direct to stop paying rent for additional storage premises.

Another fleet user is Tetrosyl, the leading supplier of car care brands such as CarPlan, T-Cut, and Triplewax. When planning a move to a new warehouse, the management wanted to start afresh with a new, efficient and space saving system that would provide excellent storage density for 18,000 pallets.

A further requirement was versatile around the clock, indoor and outdoor operation.

Tetrosyl has 8 electric Aisle-Masters working an intensive 24/7 operation, handling over 7000 pallets a week to process over 1700 deliveries. The racking in the new warehouse has been configured around the capabilities of the trucks, and Site Manager Barry Rennie reckons that a good 30% extra storage space has been achieved.

Aisle-Master's Monaghan facility also offers a complete warehouse planning service, free of charge. Customers can either supply a layout of their premises, or Aisle-Master personnel will visit to undertake a site survey.

On the basis of this they will supply layout diagrams and storage density calculations. Stephen Gamble, MD of Antrim based Steve's Cakes took advantage of this service for his 20,000 ftÇ manufacturing and distribution facility. "This free service was an eye opener," he says.

"By taking advice from Aisle-Master and racking out the warehouse according to the truck's capabilities, we have a good 40% more storage space in the same area. This will allow us to increase production without having to worry about buying extra space or relocating.

The extra pallet positions have also allowed us to do away with external storage and keep everything undercover." Steve's Cakes' electric Aisle-Master is fitted with nonmarking tyres to ensure a clean operation in the warehouse.

The Aisle-Master website has recently been redesigned, and gets straight to the point, as Gerry explains: "Within a few seconds of visiting our website, viewers can be watching the company video, without any time consuming form filling or provision of personal details. We wanted to make it as straightforward as possible for potential customers to see the advantages of our range." Aisle- Master is planning significant product development within the next 12 months, so the site is worth visiting on a regular basis.

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