Very Narrow Aisles
Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) racking maximises storage capacity by reducing aisle widths and making better use of available warehouse space. Specialised VNA trucks can efficiently store and retrieve pallets in narrow aisles, increasing pallet positions without expanding the facility.
When combined with a mixed-fleet approach, AGVs can automate pallet transfers to and from VNA areas, while FleetController coordinates the flow of goods to improve throughput, accuracy, and overall warehouse efficiency.
The work behind the scenes
Very narrow aisles (VNA) are the most direct way to fit more pallets into the same building. Whereas a conventional aisle must accommodate a truck that needs to turn fully, a very narrow aisle is barely wider than the load itself. You see this gain reflected on every row of racking in your warehouse.
This is possible because a narrow-aisle truck operates differently. The truck moves in both directions in the aisle without turning, and its forks not only move vertically but also rotate and slide sideways, allowing it to place the pallet on the left or right side of the rack. As a result, the required aisle width is no longer determined by the truck’s turning circle, but by the pallet.
At the same time, such a layout demands more from your warehouse than just different trucks. The floor, the racking, the guidance, and the way you organise the work are closely interconnected. We look at this combination and determine whether a narrow-aisle plan suits what you store and how fast it needs to be.
A mixed fleet approach is also possible in this case and it can maximise the benefits of VNA racking, combining high-density storage with efficient material flow. AGVs can automate pallet transfers between pick-up and drop-off locations and VNA aisles, while VNA trucks handle storage and retrieval tasks within narrow aisles. Coordinated by FleetController, the entire process becomes predictable, precise, and continuous, increasing throughput while allowing operators to focus on higher-value activities.
Suitable vehicles for VNA operations
VNA Truck THD13-15N3 Series
Narrow aisles and high racking let you maximise your valuable warehouse space. With the ELEViA ES you get an exceptional VNA truck with reach truck-like agility as well as many similar features — the perfect combination to make the most of your optimised layout.Its market-leading performance – with top speeds of up to 14 km/h – combined with ergonomic design and comprehensive safety features make for high productivity through incredibly efficient, safe operation.When outside of aisles, VNA trucks can often be less efficient and manoeuvrable. This usually means P&D stations and feeder trucks are needed so the VNA trucks can remain in the aisles. The cycle times of VNA trucks and feeder trucks rarely sync up, which means time wasted while one is sat idle.By combining the best of man-down VNA and reach truck capability in a single truck, operators can fetch their own pallets without having to rely on extra staff and head straight into the very narrow aisles. With trucks that do both, you can optimise your space and optimise your operations: lower costs by streamlining the number of trucks and personnel, and increase capacity by not having P&D stations.
- 1.3–1.5 Tonnes
- 48 Volts
- AC-power
VNA Truck VNT11-20(XL) Series
A true VNA specialist, the ELEViA EX series is optimised for easy order picking and pallet handling in narrow aisle spaces.With intuitive controls, an ergonomic, spacious cabin and excellent visibility, ELEViA EX is an operator's dream. Modular design and engineering make it highly configurable.Each model in the range is fully optimised for a specific type of application, making for a comprehensive and versatile selection of trucks. The 1,1–1,3-tonne models are available with 48 V or 80 V electrical systems, while larger models are 80 V only.
- 1.1–2.0 Tonnes
- 48 / 80 Volts
- AC-power
Very Narrow Aisle AWT
The Very Narrow Aisle Automated Warehouse Truck (VNA AWT) is an ideal solution for large warehousing operations where optimising storage space is crucial.In line with the rest of our offering, Rocla VNA is equipped with several safety features compliant with the ISO 3691-4 safety standard, including safety scanners and a dynamic stability control system. Safety is further enhanced with fluency-boosting accessories like the Proximity Detection System (PDS), which improves the interaction between AGVs, lift trucks, and people in a shared warehouse environment.It is intended for pallet handling and storage applications in pallet racking with very narrow aisles. The vehicle is specially designed for good performance in high-lifting environments, as it can operate in aisles as narrow as 1.6 m, handle loads up to 1200 kg, and has a lifting capacity of up to 12.75 m. The innovative, cutting-edge software and sensor technology significantly increase load handling speed.This Rocla AGV is equipped with telescopic load handling forks or a turret head for trilateral turning (-90 °…0 °…+90 °) of load forks for more versatile pallet handling.The Very Narrow Aisle AWT is suitable for various applications, including distribution centres, warehouses, work-in-progress storage, or replenishment of active picking locations, and it excels in scenarios requiring high storage capacity per square metre.
- Suitable for very narrow aisles
- Lifting capacity: up to 12.75 m
- Telescopic load handling forks as standard
- Versatile pallet handling
- Modular structure
- Suitable for high storage capacity facilities
Automated Compact Truck (ACT)
The Automated Compact Truck (ACT) is ideal for heavy-duty lifting in narrow spaces. With a strong hydraulic unit, ACT can lift heavy loads up to 6 m in aisles as narrow as 2.6 m. ACT is developed with optimal automation in mind. This means harmonious interaction between AGVs and manual operations, with all systems seamlessly communicating and sharing tasks.The vehicle's touchscreen is highly responsive, with fast haptics and excellent visibility from different angles. With instructive colour-coded information, the information is conveyed quickly and clearly. LED fins on both sides of the vehicle serve as turn signals and indicate the state of ACT from a distance, improving communication with warehouse personnel.ACT meets the ISO 3691-4 safety standard requirement. It has comprehensive safety features like 360° safety fields and side clearance monitoring. By signalling its status with lights and sound, ACT makes the warehouse work safer and more efficient. Proximity detection allows AGVs, forklifts and people with tags to detect each other without a direct line of sight, slowing the vehicle down and stopping if necessary.ACT is the winner of the iF Design Award 2024, the Red Dot Design Award 2024 and the Automation Product Innovation of the Year Archie's Award 2024.
- Available as forkover and counterbalance
- Lifting up to 6 m
- Can operate in 2.6 m-wide aisles
- Fits in existing warehouse logistics
- Responsive user interface
- Designed to collaborate with manual operations
Making the most of your vertical space
Profit and costs
The calculation is simple: every meter you don’t lose to aisle space can be used for shelving. In a warehouse with dozens of rows, that adds up significantly.
On the other hand, a narrow aisle is less forgiving. There is one truck per aisle, and it cannot simply go around it. A breakdown, a damaged pallet, or a misplaced load has immediate consequences for everything waiting behind that aisle. Your drivers also work differently: more precisely, with less room to correct, and during man-up work at great heights.
A narrow-aisle plan is therefore a good choice when storage capacity is truly your bottleneck and your flow of goods is predictable enough to work with one truck per aisle.
Automate where it makes sense
Automation is rarely an “all or nothing” choice and whether you can benefit from automated VNA trucks instead of forklifts depends on your processes.
Coordinated through FleetController, our VNA Automated Warehouse Trucks (AWT) operate efficiently within narrow aisles, providing precise pallet storage and retrieval at height, at a continued pace, ensuring precise and predictable operations at these heights.
Combining pallet transport with automated VNA storage is therefore ideal in environments where human operators are needed for other, more value-adding tasks or continuous and predictable material flow is non-negotiable.
Optimise space utilisation and material flow
Different racking solutions can further enhance full-pallet handling.
Different racking solutions can be combined with a mixed fleet strategy to maximise both storage density and operational efficiency. For example, Pallet racking offers maximum accessibility and flexibility, while mobile racking increases storage density by reducing aisle requirements. VNA racking maximises capacity in high-volume warehouses, and drive-in racking provides an efficient solution for high-density storage of homogeneous goods.
In mixed fleet environments, AGVs can automate pallet movements within racking systems, while manual trucks handle exceptions, peak demand, and non-standard tasks.
By matching the right racking solution with the right vehicle type, you can optimise space utilisation, improve throughput, and maintain the flexibility needed to adapt to changing operational requirements.
At Logisnext, we can supply you with the best-suited storage system for your needs
Complete your solution
Ready to make better use of the height and width?
Would you like to know how many pallet positions a narrow-aisle plan yields in your building? Our experts are happy to calculate it for you.
Together, we look at your storage needs, turnover rate, and floor plan, and determine which aisle plan yields the best results.