Seeds like a good deal

Articulated truck helps seed company to grow at low cost

Cambridgeshire seed supplier CN Seeds reconfigured its warehouse and bought a rebuilt Flexi VNA G4 AC model to serve the facility.

Originally CN's store had been divided by two aisles with single pallet runs on the outside of each and two further backto- back runs in between.

Arranging the racking in this way gave CN high quality storage but did not utilise the available floor space effectively, so by reconfiguring the site around 1.8 metre aisle widths CN has been able to add an extra 176 pallet locations - nearly 25 per cent more places - within its dehumidified warehouse.

At CN, incoming orders arrive in bulk bags and are unloaded from trailers using a counterbalance truck. The seed is cleaned and repackaged in 25kg bags which are put away in the humidity controlled store on a Chep-style pallet before they are picked for onward delivery to CN's customers.

"The articulated truck option was more space efficient for us than using a reach truck, which we had considered," says CN Seeds' Dan Nye. "Furthermore, the Flexi is easier to drive and faster in operation than reach trucks - which, given that each pallet load of cleaned and packaged seed can be worth as much as £40,000, was an important consideration too." The warehouse is now served by a rebuilt Flexi VNA G4 AC model.

The Flexi G4 AC is built on a standard platform and offers low maintenance costs and low rental costs. Its twin load wheel drive offers safe traction in all conditions especially when laden.

An electric-powered truck, the Flexi G4 AC is powered by a heavy duty battery for long shift working. No chains or slings are required during battery change over operations.Many customers in the logistics industry need to operate two or three shifts per day and this often requires battery changeover to take place. The Flexi battery is removed simply and efficiently at low level from the rear with the driver using a hand pallet truck or another forklift. This process is very fast and eliminates the risk of the battery being dropped from height.

The Flexi G4 AC rebuild programme offers the latest Flexi energy technology and safety features on a product that can save up to 30 per cent on the investment cost.

"All rebuilt Flexis are specified to the latest standards at our UK production plant. This means our clients have the peace of mind that comes with the knowledge they are acquiring a completely up to date product that will give many years of efficient and productive service," says Flexi Narrow Aisle's John Maguire.