Understanding the terms used in warehousing is essential in picking the right storage solution for your business needs. In this guide, we answer ‘what is VNA in warehousing?’ and explain everything you need to know about the advantages and challenges of this warehouse storage solution.
If you’re ready to speak to the professionals about the best warehousing option for your requirements, you can contact our expert team at LTS Global Solutions today.
What is VNA in Warehousing?
VNA stands for ‘Very Narrow Aisle’ and is a method of racking that is adapted from typical adjustable pallet racking systems. This storage option compacts racking into a smaller area and typically also increases the height of your system to substantially increase the capacity of your warehouse space.
VNA is a type of high-density storage solution, where the space for vehicle operation is significantly reduced beyond the usual size limits. VNA racking can have aisles as narrow as 1.5 metres, in comparison to standard pallet racking that has between 3 and 4.5 metres of aisle space to accommodate regular forklifts. This means that specialised equipment is needed to access the shelves and remove stock.
LTS offers pallet storage that is tailored to your specific needs and scalable as your business needs change and grow. Our cost-efficient storage is available in combination with our full logistics and fulfilment services, providing peace of mind that your stock is well stored and properly managed.
Equipment for VNA Pallet Racking
The reduced aisle space available between VNA pallets requires the use of specialised equipment. Narrow aisle forklifts are the typical solution for easy access to stock, with two different options available:
- Bilateral forklifts: Trucks with a cradle structure for telescopic forks, allowing them to operate in extremely narrow spaces. Bilateral forklifts typically cannot place pallets down on the floor and only take pallets from the left or right, not frontally.
- Trilateral forklifts: Trucks with a rotating head, allowing their forks to be adjusted for side-on and frontal goods handling. A trilateral forklift can also place items on the floor, but overall requires more room than a bilateral option.
Narrow aisle trucks can be used in combination with feeder trucks, larger trucks that work outside the narrow confines of VNA pallet racking. This ensures efficiency in transporting items from one space to another. Mechanical or wire-guided systems are used to allow trucks to safely move through the small aisles.
Advantages of VNA
Optimises Vertical Floor Space
VNA racking enables businesses to maximise on the number of goods stored within a particular amount of floor space. A reduced aisle width provides an ideal solution for getting more out of existing square footage within a warehouse, particularly when VNA systems are constructed to make better use of vertical space compared to existing, lower pallet racking.
Flexible System
While VNA racking saves on space, this isn’t the only benefit of this compact solution. High versatility enables pallet racking to be adapted to your specific applications and storage requirements, including differing sizes of pallets and boxes. This flexibility means VNA racking can accommodate many different goods, from large-scale products to small, individual items.
Boosts Productivity
Greater efficiency in accessing products through a VNA racking system makes workflows for product storage and order picking a fast and easy task. When combined with the right vehicles, such as a bilateral or trilateral forklift truck, goods can easily be moved about from place to place with direct access at all heights.
Easy Automation
A VNA pallet racking system can easily be integrated with automated technology to further streamline processes. For example, combining very narrow aisle racking with AS/RS stacker cranes can be a practical way to achieve automated item retrieval and deposit, improving the flow of pallets through the business.
Maximises Storage Capacity
By compressing storage into a smaller space, businesses have the opportunity to increase their capacity for goods without the need to expand their space. In particular, a VNA pallet system can reduce the floor space for existing stock, providing more room to expand their other facilities, such as packing stations.
Enables Floor-Level Pallet Storage
In addition to improved verticality, VNA pallet storage solutions also offer a method to store pallets at low-level or floor-level racking, further maximising space utilisation. The adaptability of VNA racking allows this system to be tailored to your specific business requirements, using every inch of available space.
Simple Assembly
VNA pallet systems are straightforward to assemble according to your specifications, enabling fast installation and ensuring a racking system that is tailored to the types of goods you need to store. These systems are equally easy to disassemble for the easy movement of racking, from adjusting on-site layouts to transferring to a new warehouse.
Key Applications for VNA Pallet Racking
VNA pallet racking is an ideal solution for a wide range of business objectives, from small companies to large-scale international businesses. Some of the key applications for this system include:
- Warehouses that require direct access to goods: When combined with suitable forklifts or an automated system, VNA pallet racking offers fast and immediate access to goods without sacrificing available space for large vehicle access requirements.
- Warehouses with diverse storage requirements: Companies that need to store products of varying sizes and dimensions can benefit from VNA pallet racking, a fully flexible system that can be adapted to the storage of numerous unique products.
- Warehouses with high levels of product rotation: Businesses with a high turnover can benefit from VNA pallet racking to improve the efficiency of accessing stock and adjusting shelving to suit changing requirements.
- Warehouses with limited floor space but tall roofing: VNA pallet systems are an ideal solution for spaces with plenty of height for building, allowing businesses to increase their storage capacity effectively.
Automating VNA Pallet Racking
Even greater efficiency is possible when combining VNA pallet racking with automation solutions, such as an automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS) stacker crane. These machines are adaptable to warehouses that also utilise forklifts, with no need for an upper guide rail. An automated stacker crane allows for the fast, practical retrieval of goods with the ability to pick up and place from both sides and the front.
Our team at LTS has extensive experience in operating and optimising VNA racking systems to maximise pallet storage capacity. We offer pallet space within our VNA facilities to suit your storage needs. For more information about available pallet spaces, contact us today.
Is VNA Right for Your Operation?
VNA racking is a practical, space-maximising solution for a range of business operations, particularly in industries where direct access to stock and fast turnaround are essential. However, it’s also worth considering the additional costs that apply to VNA pallet systems. For example, specialised handling equipment like the forklifts and automated cranes we covered above is necessary to fit into the narrower aisles.
Warehousing with LTS Global Solutions
Choosing the right pallet racking for your warehouse can improve productivity and make the most of your available storage space. LTS are specialists in warehousing and storage solutions, including ambient storage and food warehousing to meet the needs of specific industries. Get in touch with our team today to discuss whether VNA racking is the right solution for your warehousing.
