Electronics plants run to the rhythm of the line: components arrive from many suppliers, are inspected, stored, kitted per production order and delivered to each line; finished goods are boxed and wait for shipping. Forklift solutions for the electronics industry are therefore a coordinated chain of vehicles, from the receiving dock, component store and line-side store to the finished goods store and container shipping.
Operating challenges in electronics plants
- Light but valuable goods: cartons, trays and component reels dent or fall easily; handling must be smooth and precise.
- Very many component SKUs: stores need many rack locations, and kitting takes many hours and must not pick wrong SKUs.
- Continuous line supply: a line stopped by missing parts is costly, so internal transport must run on schedule.
- Multi-storey plants, limited land: pallets pass through goods lifts and narrow corridors; stores must use height.
- Areas with special rules: some production areas control static or dust. STILL’s published specifications do not state anti-static or cleanroom features for its trucks, so this requirement must be raised and assessed during the survey.
- Multi-shift operation: the fleet must be continuously available, favouring electric trucks and opportunity charging.
Overview: truck type – STILL model – application
| Truck type | STILL model | Application in the industry |
|---|---|---|
| Electric counterbalance forklift | RXE 10-16C, RCE 15/20, RX 20 | Receiving components, store to workshop, shipping goods |
| Reach truck | FM-X, FXR 14C-18C | High-bay component and finished goods stores |
| Stacker | EXV-CB 06-16, EXV 10C-16C, ECV 10 | Line-side stores, closed-bottom containers |
| Electric pallet & hand pallet trucks | ECH 12C/15C, EXH 14C, EXH 16-20, HPS/HPT | Line feeding, goods lifts, packing |
| Order picker | OPX-L 12, OPX iGo neo, EK-X 10 | Component kitting, spare parts orders |
| Very narrow aisle truck | MX-X, NXV | High-density storage on limited land |
| Electric tow tractor | LTX 20, LTX 50 | Tugger trains feeding components by route |
| iGo automated truck | AXV 12 iGo, EXV iGo, EXV-CB iGo, FM-X iGo, AXL iGo | Automated line feeding, storage, lorry loading |
Diesel and LPG forklifts (RX 70, RCD) do not suit enclosed electronics workshops because of exhaust; consider them only for outdoor yards. See the diesel & LPG forklifts category if needed.
Process chain and the right truck for each stage
Receiving components: electric counterbalance or pallet trucks unload at the dock and move goods to incoming inspection. Storage: reach trucks for common high racking, VNA when density matters, stackers for satellite stores. Kitting: low-level or high-level order pickers depending on rack height. Line feeding: tow tractors on fixed routes, compact pallet trucks for short runs and goods lifts. Finished goods and shipping: reach trucks for put-away, counterbalance or pallet trucks for container loading.
Stable, repetitive supply routes and lorry loading are the first candidates for automation with iGo trucks, while driver-operated trucks handle exceptions and rush orders.
Solution articles
- Electric forklifts for electronics
- Reach trucks for electronics
- Stacker trucks for electronics
- Electric pallet trucks for electronics
- Order pickers for electronics
- VNA trucks for electronics
- Tow tractors for electronics
- Automated forklifts for electronics
Related services
- Maintenance and repair: keep the fleet ready and avoid line supply interruptions.
- Forklift rental: add trucks for extra shifts or large orders.
- Fleet management: track operating hours and control operator access by area.
- Operator training: train production workers who also handle transport.
Frequently asked questions
Which truck should a new electronics plant start with?
Usually electric pallet trucks for the dock and line feeding, plus one rack truck type (stacker or reach truck depending on store height). Order pickers, tow tractors and automated trucks follow as lines and SKUs grow.
Can STILL trucks be used in static-controlled areas?
STILL’s published specifications do not state anti-static or cleanroom features. Raise the specific requirement during the survey to get advice checked against your internal rules.
Should we automate from the start?
Stabilise routes, containers and supply schedules first. Once processes are steady, iGo trucks can take over repetitive routes.
Need a survey and fleet proposal for an electronics plant? Send a request on the quote page or call 0902 63 79 70.