Dunstable-based industrial baker, Signature Flatbreads, has seen strong growth and has introduced a narrow aisle racking system, served by Flexi intralogistics technology, which allowed the company to increase storage capacity at its facility. After a full review of the existing operations, it was decided that the buildings that were being used to store packaging materials and finished products should be combined to free up one of the units for production purposes.
By introducing a narrow aisle racking system, the unit’s pallet capacity has been increased by over 30% and both finished goods and packaging materials can now be stored within one building. The former packaging store has been converted and now houses additional production lines, which deliver the new products and extra capacity required to meet Signature Flatbread’s current output requirements.
The unit is served by just two Flexi AC1000 flexi articulated forklifts designed and built by Narrow Aisle Ltd. “Because the Flexi can stack in the very narrow aisles and deliver the palletised goods to their production or dispatch point, no other equipment is required and double handling is eliminated,” explained Narrow Aisle Ltd’s commercial director, John Maguire.
Bakery products have a relatively short shelf life; therefore it was vital that the materials handling equipment used on site delivered maximum up-time. “The Flexi electric-powered articulated trucks’ reputation for exceptional reliability and rapid battery change-over capability, were a significant influence on our decision to choose Flexis,” said Gary Cosh.
The Flexi AC1000 trucks in operation at Signature Flatbreads both benefit from Narrow Aisle’s simple cassette battery changing and 6.5 hour charging technology that delivers multi-shift availability and ensures the trucks are available around the clock. They have been provided on an inclusive contract package, stating that all planned maintenance, safety inspections and repairs are covered.
“The Flexis have performed at full capacity since they joined our fleet and, while we have the support of Narrow Aisle’s extensive service support backup to call upon if we have a problem, so far we have not had a need to call out a service engineer,” concluded Gary Cosh.
