The decisive factor in the choice of this device, which replaced a reach truck, was its ability to store and retrieve pallets of special sizes in the existing aisle widths of just 285 centimetres. Head of Logistics, Sebastian Hügli: "When storing the 190-centimeter-long pallets in the racking with the reach truck, there was previously no room for the driver to maneuver, which often led to slight damage to the racking. There was also a crushing hazard for staff due to the small distance between the forklift and the racking. Making the aisles wider would have necessitated a complete restructuring of the warehouse, which we wanted to avoid at all costs due to the high operational effort involved."

Efficient solution saves warehouse conversion
After analyzing the warehouse layout, Dominik Huck from Huck Fördertechnik GmbH suggested a trial run of the Aisle Master on site. "I saw this narrow-aisle stacker as the only solution for Getinge without having to completely change the warehouse," he says. The assessment of the management and the drivers was extremely positive - thanks to the narrow design and the articulated function, the Aisle Master is much more maneuverable than a reach truck and offers better access to the aisles as well as more free space within the racking.

Positive feedback from employees
"The opinion of the operating staff was also important to me, and they all agreed that the Aisle Master would make their work easier," says Sebastian Hügli, Head of Logistics at Getinge. Logistics employee Denis Flora can confirm this: "The changeover from a reach truck is quick and after a familiarization phase of one or two days, you are safe on the road. It's easy to operate and you feel safe and comfortable in the cab and always have a good view of the surroundings and load." An electrically powered Aisle Master model was selected as the machine was to be used mainly in an enclosed building. The Aisle Master is also available with diesel and LPG drive. Since the truck was commissioned, its versatile capabilities as an external stacker have also been recognized. In addition to handling long pallets, it is increasingly being used for the external transportation of various loads and for loading and unloading trucks on the factory premises. The 1,500 kilogram load capacity of the 15E model is more than sufficient to store and retrieve pallets weighing up to 600 kilograms on the top 4.5 meter shelves.

New forklift is cheaper than a conversion
Hügli and his team are convinced: "The Aisle-Master is a good, universal device and the ideal solution for various challenges, and it offers maximum safety. Damage and the associated risks are a thing of the past - we also saved money by not having to rebuild." The Aisle Master brand is manufactured by forklift specialist and manufacturer Combilift in Monaghan, Ireland. These space-saving articulated forklifts can replace a combination of counterbalance and reach trucks and are suitable for indoor and outdoor use, even on uneven ground. With AC front-wheel drive in combination with profiled tires on the drive axle, working with millimeter precision is guaranteed. This flexibility to transport loads directly from the truck lengthways on the forks directly into the rack ensures cost-effective goods handling and therefore maximum productivity. The Aisle Master product range includes models with load capacities of up to three tons and lifting heights of up to 15 metres; diesel and LPG drives are also available as options. The equipment is supported in Germany by a nationwide and very dense dealer network.