by Dan Livingston, on November 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
What if choosing the right forklift could expand your storage capacity by 60%?
Huge gains like that are often pipe dreams, but not so with CombiLift multi-directional forklifts. CombiLift's unique designs maximize storage space, allowing you to do so much more with what you already have and saving you money as your business continues to expand.
Read on to learn how forklifts like the CombiLift Aislemaster can save you thousands each year.
The Mathematics of Warehouse Storage
Let’s take a moment to put the monetary value of warehouse storage into perspective.
While warehouse space costs vary significantly, the average e-commerce warehouse costs about $1.22 per square foot per month, or $14.64 per square foot annually. Additionally, the average warehouse in the United States is around 180,000 to 200,000 square feet. Let’s call it 190,000 square feet.
With those numbers, the average American warehouse spends $231,800 per month, or $2.8 million annually, on storage space.
Some of that cost is unavoidable. So, if you're stuck paying $2.8 million a year, you want to fit as much as possible into that space. Now, the average aisle width is 11 to 13 feet. That means for every foot of aisle length, you're losing up to 13 square feet of storage space or $190.32 annually.
Yet, what if you could reduce aisle width?
Some forklifts, such as the CombiLift Aislemaster, only need 5.3 feet of aisle width. Shrinking your aisles from 13 feet to 5.3 feet saves you 7.7 square feet per foot of aisle length. Over the course of the year, you would save $112.73 per foot of aisle length. That’s almost a 60% savings, both financially and spatially.
Imagine what you could do with 60% more storage capacity.
Double Your Storage Space With the CombiLift Aislemaster
As demonstrated above, doubling your storage space results in significant savings.
Fundamentally, that's what CombiLift models, such as the Aislemaster, offer. By reducing aisle width from 13 feet to 5.3 feet, their very narrow aisle forklifts eliminate wasted space and protect your bottom line. Consequently, the Aislemaster's popularity with Pacific Northwest high-density storage operations has skyrocketed over the last 18 months.
All that begs the question: How does the CombiLift Aislemaster work so effectively in such tight spaces?
The answer is articulation.
Aislemaster models feature articulated forks. This allows them to drive into an aisle, pivot the forks without turning the whole truck, and retrieve pallets up to 49 feet high. Additionally, these CombiLift multi-directional forklifts are rated for both indoor and outdoor use and have multiple cab options. As a result, they can do the work of a counterbalance, reach, and narrow aisle side loader forklift regardless of the weather.
By eliminating the need for multiple forklift models and doubling storage capacity, CombiLift Aislemasters pay for themselves in no time.
Finding the Right CombiLift for You
CombiLift offers a wide variety of models.
From walkie reach stackers like the COMBI-WR4 to the Aislemaster to the ever-popular C-Series, CombiLift has a machine for every industry. With so much to offer, making the best choice can be a challenge without expert help. Our team works closely with CombiLift to stay up to date on their latest innovations. Let us help guide you to a forklift that will save you space and money.
To learn more about the CombiLift Aislemaster or other very narrow aisle options, contact us online or visit one of our locations.
Auburn 253-854-5438
Pasco 509-547-7413
Wenatchee 509-663-9009
Yakima 509-457-5137
Further Reading
Timber! The Top Reasons To Fall for CombiLift Lumber Yard Forklifts
Why CombiLift Forklifts Are Rock Solid for the Concrete Industry
CombiLift Forklifts Are Masters of Moving Meta
