Aisle-Master’s Handiwork is Just the Job for Castorama

Part of Kingfisher plc which operates almost a thousand stores in eight countries in Europe and Asia, Castorama started using Aisle-Masters six years ago and the success of the initial trucks led to them now being the preferred specification for any new depots that are opened. Group Purchasing Director Tomasz Chudowolski first encountered Aisle-Master’s articulated system when he was looking for a new concept for handling and storage that would be a more efficient replacement for the combination of reach and counterbalance trucks which had traditionally been used in this sector.

“When we took a closer look at the Aisle-Masters we realised that their narrow aisle capability would allow us to be very flexible when it came to determining aisle widths,  enabling us to increase the amount of stock we can hold, “ says Tomasz. “Depending on the size of an outlet, which is typically from 7,000 to 10,000 m² we can add two or three extra aisles compared with the old reach/counterbalance system. As customers always want more choice this gives us the ability to offer it.”

The layout of racking at each individual outlet is determined by merchandising managers who take into account the size of products, with Aisle-Masters mostly operating in aisles as narrow as 1.8m. To make use of all vertical space the top beam height is 5.5m, and Castorama’s trucks are fitted with a triplex 6000mm mast to easily lift pallets, packs and boxes to this height.  The ability of the trucks to work indoors and out and to offload incoming deliveries from HGV’s and take them directly to the racking is a much quicker procedure than using two types of forklift as it eliminates double handling.