In industrial parks and peri-urban areas with high land costs, many 3PL logistics centres build tall rather than wide. Very narrow aisle (VNA) trucks then allow aisles to be reduced to a minimum and exploit heights a reach truck cannot reach. This article explains when a service warehouse should invest in VNA, and whether to choose the STILL MX-X or NXV.
When a 3PL warehouse needs VNA
VNA is not a default choice. The system requires racking, floor and aisles to be designed together from the start, and the trucks usually work only inside the rack aisles, with other trucks bringing pallets to the aisle ends. In return, VNA delivers the highest storage density while keeping direct access to every pallet. Three typical situations in logistics services:
- Long-term, high-volume storage contracts for one or a few stable shippers with many SKUs that need access to every pallet.
- New high-bay warehouses on expensive land that aim to maximise pallet positions per square metre.
- Existing warehouses that are full but have spare clear height and can rebuild the racking zone.
If contracts are short and the product mix changes constantly, reach trucks are usually more flexible. See also Very narrow aisle forklift guide: MX-X or NXV.
STILL MX-X: tall warehouses, high throughput
The MX-X is a man-up VNA truck whose cab rises with the operator, so it can both store and retrieve pallets and pick at height. According to STILL, it reaches lift heights of up to 18 metres, travel speeds of up to 14 km/h and the highest residual capacity on the market. Active Load Stabilisation (ALS) shortens storage and retrieval processes by up to 5%, while the turret head shortens picking routes.
Two points stand out for 3PL warehouses. First, Active Floor Compensation (AFC) compensates for uneven floors even at high speed, described by the manufacturer as a cost-effective alternative to floor refurbishment, useful when a leased warehouse has a less-than-ideal floor. Second, the MX-X can use lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries at 48 V and 80 V, so the choice can follow the warehouse’s energy strategy. Its modular design and performance packages allow configuration for each application.
STILL NXV: small warehouses, high racking
STILL presents the NXV as the ideal partner for making efficient use of space in smaller warehouses. Its compact dimensions with a turret head or telescopic forks mean it needs very little space. It handles loads of up to 1,500 kg at height and travels at 10.5 km/h. ALS can raise handling performance by up to 5 percent and automatically ensures even storage depth. An optional cross-line laser between the forks or a camera system helps position pallets precisely, which matters when operators are new to the warehouse.
Selection table: VNA trucks by process step
| Process step | Suggested type/model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| High-density storage, very high racking | STILL MX-X | Lifts to 18 m, ALS, up to 14 km/h |
| Combined pallet storage and high-level picking | STILL MX-X (man-up) | Cab rises with the operator, turret head |
| Small warehouse, narrow aisles, heavy goods | STILL NXV | Compact, up to 1,500 kg, optional positioning laser |
| Feeding pallets to VNA aisle ends | Electric pallet truck or stacker | Fast horizontal transfer between dock and racking |
Technical conditions before investing
- Floor: the higher the racking, the stricter the flatness requirement. The MX-X’s AFC helps, but a survey is still needed.
- Racking and aisles: VNA racking and trucks must be designed together; see racking systems and Warehouse aisle width and forklift selection.
- Guidance and safety: the in-aisle guidance concept and pedestrian safety should be agreed in the design; see warehouse safety.
- Maintenance: the VNA truck is the single link serving the whole racking zone, so the maintenance and repair plan must keep downtime low.
See the very narrow aisle trucks category and the overview at solutions for 3PL logistics.
Frequently asked questions
Does VNA suit a 3PL warehouse with short contracts?
It is usually not the first choice, because racking and floor are designed specifically. VNA pays off with large, stable storage over a long period.
How do the MX-X and NXV differ?
The MX-X is a man-up truck for tall, high-throughput warehouses, lifting up to 18 m. The NXV is more compact and targets smaller warehouses with loads up to 1,500 kg.
Can VNA be used if the leased warehouse floor is not perfectly flat?
The MX-X has AFC to compensate for uneven floors, but the acceptable level must be assessed with an actual floor survey before deciding.
Get advice and a quote
For advice on warehouse layout with the STILL MX-X or STILL NXV, send a request via the request a quote page or call our hotline 0902 63 79 70.