Most material movement in garment and footwear plants is horizontal: from store to workshop, between workshops and from packing to the shipping dock. On those routes, electric pallet trucks and hand pallet trucks log the most hours, even if they get little attention. This article sorts the stages and suggests suitable STILL models.
Horizontal transport in textile and footwear plants
Garment plants often have several buildings, some multi-storey with goods lifts. Loads are fabric pallets, finished-carton pallets and trims pallets – rarely very heavy, but with many trips. Floors may include ramps between buildings, door thresholds and drainage channels. In footwear plants, sole pressing, lasting and finishing areas are linked by shared aisles with many pedestrians.
So the selection criteria are not only capacity but also truck size and weight, ramp ability and ease of use for rotating staff.
Suggested models by stage
Between workshop floors: STILL ECH 12C / ECH 15C
The STILL ECH 12C / ECH 15C has a low service weight of just 115 kg and is explicitly described by STILL for goods lifts and racking aisles. Capacity is 1,200/1,500 kg, and the creep speed switch allows manoeuvring with the tiller upright. The Li-Ion battery charges from a socket via an external charger. It is a sensible replacement for hand pallet trucks in multi-storey garment workshops.
Between buildings: STILL EXH-S 20 – 25 and EXH-SF 20 – 25
On longer routes, a stand-on platform saves effort. The STILL EXH-S 20 – 25 carries up to 2,500 kg at up to 14 km/h with the STILL Easy Drive tiller and display; Smart Load Protect reduces speed automatically when initial lift is not raised or when driving into a truck. The STILL EXH-SF 20 – 25 has an air-cushioned folding platform, sprung support wheels for smooth ramp crossing and a total width of just 720 mm – narrower than a Europallet.
Packing area and dock: STILL EXH 16 – 20
The STILL EXH 16 – 20 is compact, with OptiSpeed matching speed to the tiller angle, and works inside truck bodies too. For occasional support, the pedestrian STILL EXH 14C handles 1,400 kg and has an integrated charger.
Odd jobs and areas without power: STILL HPS / HPT
STILL HPS / HPT hand pallet trucks cover 1,000 kg to 3,000 kg, with torsion-resistant steel construction and wheel options to suit the floor. Some versions feature a scale display, useful for checking yarn bale or lot weights on the spot. The HPT high-lift version places goods at a comfortable working height.
Guide table: stage – model – reason
| Stage | STILL model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-storey workshops, goods lifts | ECH 12C / 15C | Light, compact, socket charging |
| Moves between buildings | EXH-S 20 – 25 | Stand-on, high speed, Smart Load Protect |
| Narrow routes with ramps | EXH-SF 20 – 25 | 720 mm wide, sprung support wheels |
| Packing area, dock | EXH 16 – 20 | Compact, works inside trucks |
| Weighing yarn bales, odd jobs | HPS / HPT | No charging, scale version available |
Electric pallet truck or hand pallet truck?
Hand pallet trucks are cheap and need no charging, but are tiring on long routes or ramps. When one worker pulls pallets many times per shift, an electric truck reduces fatigue and injury risk. Detailed guidance is in hand pallet truck vs electric pallet truck and choosing an electric pallet truck.
One more note: fabric scraps and thread easily wrap around drive and support wheels; include a daily wheel check in the pre-shift checklist. Browse the electric pallet trucks and STILL hand pallet trucks, or return to the textile & footwear solutions page.
Frequently asked questions
Can an electric pallet truck use a goods lift?
It depends on lift capacity and car size. The ECH 12C/15C is light and compact and designed by STILL for this case; still add up truck, load and operator weight and compare with the lift rating.
Stand-on or pedestrian – which suits a garment plant better?
For short routes with many stops, pedestrian is handier. For long routes between buildings, a stand-on platform reduces fatigue and increases speed.
Do electric pallet trucks need inspection?
Inspection requirements depend on the equipment type under current regulations. See our safety inspection service for guidance.
Want to optimise internal transport? Send a quote request with a route sketch, pallet types and trips per shift, or call our hotline 0902 63 79 70.