Very Narrow Aisle Racking

Very narrow aisle racking maximises storage density where warehouse floor space is expensive or restricted while maintaining direct access to individual pallet locations. By making better use of available floor and vertical space, it enables businesses to increase storage capacity without sacrificing selective access to inventory. This makes it particularly suitable for high-value and controlled inventory where efficient space utilisation and direct pallet access are important.

Very Narrow Aisle Racking is designed for high-density pallet storage using specialised turret trucks that can operate within narrow aisles. Unlike conventional forklifts, the turret truck travels straight along the aisle while its fork head rotates to place and retrieve pallets on either side. The truck is guided by an inductive wire in the floor or by steel guide rails fixed alongside the racking, allowing precise movement within the aisle. Every pallet position remains directly accessible, while the racking can reach heights well above conventional systems. Trucks may be man-down, where the driver remains at floor level, or man-up, where the driver is lifted with the load.

Specifications 

Aisle width:  set by the truck, pallet and load

Beam lengths: depend on pallet size and clearances, as for selective racking

Heights: Set to maximise available vertical storage space  

Capacity: per layout; request the load table

Guidance: inductive wire or rail. Guided-truck systems are covered by DIN 15185.

Operational & Commercial Advantages

1. High storage density and full selectivity in the same system
2. Efficient use of building height and floor area
3. Guided trucks reduce steering errors and impacts with the racking

Ideal For: 

High-value stock, pharmaceutical and electronics distribution, bonded warehouses, and sites where land or floor space is expensive.

Buyer’s guide

• The floor is part of the system. Turret trucks at height need a very flat, level floor. Agree the flatness class with the truck supplier and check it against EN 15620 and your national floor standard. Floor remediation is common.
• Wire guidance vs rail guidance. Wire guidance needs a slot cut in the floor, and it keeps the floor clear and layouts easier to change. Rail guidance gives a physical guide and keeps the truck straight, but the rails are fixed to the racking.
• Plan truck and rack together. Buy them against one layout drawing.