Value Materials Handling, a division of Value Logistics Limited, reports that it can improve warehouse layout, using software that calculates the ideal layout of any warehouse, resulting in maximum space use.

The company’s very narrow aisle program (VNAP) plans the layout of any warehouse, old or new. It allows the space and pallet placements to be laid out and used in the most productive way.

Value Materials Handling divisional direc-tor Kathy Hendricks says, “We enter all the given data that is supplied by the customer, into the VNAP, such as load sizes, weight of load, height of racking and what type of guidance system will be used.” She adds that thereafter the VNAP specialist will manipulate settings and options of a forklift to fine-tune its efficiency.

With VNAP, Value Materials Handling is able to determine the ideal aisle speed for materials handling machinery to operate within. Also calculated is the capacity of lift trucks at maximum height, whether rotation of a load in the aisle is possible, as well as the cycle time between collecting and delivering goods.

Hendricks explains that the VNAP evalu-ates the requirements of the application, and then takes into account all available options, which assists Value Materials Handling in presenting the best possible materials handling machine and solutions to customers. “It improves our accuracy when selecting various options and ensures that when the machines are delivered, they meet all of the customer’s specifications and requirements,” says Hendricks. She adds that the VNAP further allows Value Materials Handling to increase the potential of a warehouse by achieving the highest number of pallet places possible.

For example, a customer approached Value Materials Handling with floor plans and designs for a new extended warehouse. According to the initial layout, the aisle width was 2 m. After capturing the data from the plans into the VNAP, the program managed to reduce the aisle width from 2 m to 1.5 m, allowing for more than 200 additional pallet positions. The customer was advised that their current rail guided machine would only allow an aisle speed of 7 km/h, but with the calculations that the VNAP provided, the operation speed increased to 10.5 km/h.

“The end result allowed for significant workflow improvements, cost reduction and a state-of-the-art operation generating quantified efficiencies,” says Hendricks.

With the current racking systems, the VNAP allows alterations to be made to the machine settings, and with the use of various options, adapts the machine to meet the needs of the final specification to suit the customer’s application. “The more unique the requirement, the more planning and time it takes. But with the experience and backing from our German engineers, most specification requirements can be successfully implemented,” says Hendricks.

Meanwhile, Value Materials Handling was recently awarded the sole rights for distribution of the Still brand of materials handling products – which includes lift trucks – in South Africa.

The Still brand offers a comprehensive range of materials handling equipment, manufactured in Germany, complemented by a full range of fully computerised logistics programs.

“The new range of products assists us in identifying and recommending effective warehouse and material flow management according to our customers’ specific and sometimes unique requirements,” says Hendricks.

Still allows Value Materials Handling to offer a comprehensive range of materials handling solutions. “We have secured business with large corporate companies, such as General Motors with a fleet in excess of 100 units, logistics company Schnellecke, Agrinet, Bridgestone and Komatsu,” Hendricks says.

The fleets supplied include Still high-level and low-level order pickers, reach trucks, 6 t and 20 t sit-on electric tow motors, 4 t electric stand-on tow-motors, electric-motor-ised pallet trucks and electric and diesel counterbalanced forklifts.

To keep a fleet operating at its full potential, on-site workshops and battery management solutions provide 24-hour back-up.

Value Materials Handling operates from four wholly owned branches across all regions of South Africa and intends to spread its operations into the rest of Africa soon. The company already enjoys representation in Mozambique and Botswana.

“Technology is a valuable tool, but we pride ourselves on going the extra mile for our clients by offering a personalised and reliable back-up service,” Hendricks concludes.