New colour, new models, new features

As well as bringing insight into high quality articulated trucks, Aisle-Master will offer Irish hospitality at IMHX

It is not just Aisle-Master's new corporate colour that is being launched at this year's IMHX. The Irish articulated truck manufacturer will be celebrating its tenth year with new models packed with new features all of which will be on display on stands 19K 135 & 130 that it is sharing with its affiliated company Combilift. An added bonus for thirsty visitors will be the Guinness on offer on the smaller of the two stands which is dedicated to hospitality.

An eventful year Substantial growth in Aisle-Master's sales figures prompted a move of production to a dedicated line at the Combilift factory in May, and the company is now headed up by two of the most influential figures in the materials handling industry - technical director Robert Moffett and MD Martin McVicar, who comments: "Our engineering expertise and ability to invest substantial resources into research and development will ensure that Aisle-Master continues to enjoy its reputation as the quality articulated forklift in the marketplace, not only in the UK and Ireland but throughout the world." Following the move, Aisle-Master has strengthened its UK sales team and there are now six regional product managers in place who work with end users and dealers to advise on the advantages of the wide range of models for space saving and narrow aisle operations.

Pioneering technology Aisle-Master was the pioneer of LPG powered articulated trucks and also the first to incorporate AC technology in its electric range. It is still the only articulated manufacturer to offer AC as standard in all its electric models. The advantages for customers are numerous, particularly when it comes to maintenance, or rather lack of it. Brushless motors reduce the wear and tear on components for longer life operation. Fewer moving parts equates to no service requirements, this in turn reduces downtime. It also provides improved acceleration and more precise control - this is of great benefit when operating at high lift height in narrow aisles. A further advantage is reduced energy consumption for longer operation per charge and a more powerful performance.

The articulated advantage Aisle-Masters can easily double the amount of storage space available by operating in aisles as narrow as 1.75m. This also reduces the overheads on rent and utilities, lowering the carbon footprint and the amount of energy required. Super elastic tyres enables Aisle-Masters to be used indoors and out, replacing a combination of other types of forklifts for more streamlined operations. There is also no need to invest in super flat floors in the warehouse unlike operation with other traditional types of VNA turret trucks. The enhanced pallet density considerably reduces storage cost per pallet space.

Why Aisle-Master? Aisle-Masters are fully designed, welded, painted, manufactured and tested in Ireland, not assembled from components manufactured elsewhere, for example in the Far East. This enables customised products and quality control second to none.

Customers are welcome to visit the factory to see for themselves the level of design and precision manufacturing behind each truck.

The LPG Aisle-Master for example was designed as a "thoroughbred" gas powered truck, rather than an adapted electric model with the engine fitted into the battery housing.

The front wheel drive on the electric models is also far superior to rear wheel drive when it comes to more precise positioning in racking when articulating.

Moving forward Since moving to the new facility, orders and output have doubled.

Global sales are expected to increase by 50% in 2011 due to the number of dealers representing Aisle-Master worldwide.