Based in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, industrial baker Signature Flatbreads produces a range of pitta breads and nans, tortillas, crumpets and other bakery products that it supplies to all of the UKs leading high street supermarket retailers for sale under various own brand labels.
Strong growth and the planned introduction of a number of new product lines, meant that extra manufacturing capacity was required at the companys production and storage facility and, 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.
We have been growing rapidly, so needed to make maximum use of our existing facilities, says Gary Cosh, Signature Flatbreads manager responsible for warehousing and logistics.
The introduction of a narrow aisle racking system within what had been the finished goods warehouse has increased the units pallet capacity by over 30% and means that both finished goods and packaging materials can now be held within the one building creating additional capacity to grow the business.
In turn, the former packaging store has been converted and now houses additional production lines which deliver the extra capacity required to meet Signature Flatbreads current output targets.
The racking cube within the revamped packaging materials and finished goods store provides over 2000 pallet locations even though there is a rapid throughput of packaging and finished product means the unit is served by only two Flexi AC1000 Flexi articulated forklifts designed and made by Narrow Aisle Ltd. No other MH equipment is needed as the Flexi can stack in the very narrow aisles and deliver the palletized goods to their production or dispatch with no double handling or other equipment being required.
Given the relatively short shelf life of bakery products on average, most breads produced at the site are past their best before date within 10-12 days of production finished products only spend a few hours in storage.
As soon as we put them away, its time to pick them and get them out of the door, says Gary Cosh.
With such a rapid and constant flow of stock through the store, it is vital that the materials handling equipment used on site delivers 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, says Gary Cosh.
The Flexi AC1000 trucks in operation at Signature Flatbreads both benefit from Narrow Aisles simple cassette battery changing and 6.5 hour charging technology that delivers multi-shift availability and ensures the trucks are available around the clock.
The trucks have been provided on an inclusive contract rental package that means all planned maintenance, safety inspections and repairs are included in one fixed monthly rental charge.
The Flexis have performed at full capacity since they joined our fleet and, while we have the support of Narrow Aisles extensive service support back-up to call upon if we have a problem, so far we have not had a need to call out a service engineer. This is a marked contrast to some of the other brands of materials handling equipment that we have on site! In fact, one companys service engineer is always at our door! adds Gary Cosh.