Component stores at automotive assembly plants and material stores at engineering companies share one trait: many SKUs, a need to use height, but limited floor space. The reach truck is the familiar answer. This article shows how STILL FM-X and FM-4W are used in automotive & engineering, from component buffer stores to stores for steel sections, tubes and long bars.
How automotive and engineering stores differ from retail warehouses
A component store sits between suppliers and the line. Inbound goods are pallets, standard plastic totes or metal mesh boxes; outbound goods must follow the line-feeding sequence. After-sales parts stores hold many slow-moving SKUs. Engineering material stores add awkward goods: steel sections, tubes and aluminium profiles several metres long that cannot be turned in narrow aisles.
If you are new to reach trucks, read what is a reach truck first.
STILL FM-X: high racking for component stores
The STILL FM-X suits multi-level component racking. From STILL:
- Stacking height up to 14 metres; residual capacity of 1,000 kg at 13 metres and 850 kg at 14 metres.
- Active load stabilisation reduces waiting time at the rack by up to 80 percent by quickly damping mast oscillation at height.
- Speed of 14 km/h, useful when routes from store to line-feeding staging are long.
- STILL’s exclusive sideshift mast for work in narrow aisles.
- Easy Target lift height preselection supports accurate pallet placement.
In component stores, load stability at height matters: boxes of metal parts are heavy, and placing them while the mast still sways risks rack impact.
STILL FM-4W: sections, tubes and long profiles
The STILL FM-4W is a four-way reach truck that moves loads forwards, backwards and sideways. STILL describes it as particularly well suited for transporting long items, in addition to normal pallets and containers, and able to carry long goods through the narrowest aisles.
- FM-4W 20 rated at 2,000 kg, FM-4W 25 at 2,500 kg.
- Lifts 1,000 kg to 9.5 m thanks to high residual capacity.
- Integrated weight and lift height display.
- Travel speed reduces automatically when forks reach 500 mm or another set threshold.
For engineering shops using cantilever or bar racking, the FM-4W avoids reserving very wide aisles for counterbalance trucks carrying long goods.
Reach truck selection by process step
| Step | Type / model | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Component buffer store next to assembly plant | STILL FM-X | Racking up to 14 m, active load stabilisation |
| After-sales parts store with many SKUs | STILL FM-X, FM-X SE | High storage density, accurate placement |
| Steel section, tube and profile store | STILL FM-4W | Four-way travel, long goods through narrow aisles |
| Maintenance materials, small dies | STILL FM-4W, FM-X | Handles pallets, boxes and long goods |
Warehouse design notes for reach trucks
Aisles and racking
Aisle width, beam heights and rack capacity must be planned together with the truck. Warehouse aisle width and our racking systems service help keep this consistent.
Floor
High-lift reach trucks need a flat floor. Stores inside older engineering halls may need floor work before installing high racking.
Component packaging
Stacked plastic totes, metal mesh boxes and carmaker-specific racks differ in size. Standardising packaging helps use the full rack height.
The reach trucks category also lists the FM-X SE and FXR. Other truck types in the same chain are covered under automotive & engineering solutions.
Frequently asked questions
FM-X or FM-4W for an automotive parts store?
If goods are mainly pallets and standard boxes, the FM-X with high racking is the main choice. If the store holds many bars, tubes or long frames, the FM-4W fits better thanks to sideways travel.
Can reach trucks be used for line feeding?
For short distances, yes, but reach trucks are strongest at putting away and retrieving from racks. Route-based line feeding is usually done by tow tractors or counterbalance trucks.
Is there an automated version?
Yes. STILL offers the FM-X iGo automated reach truck; see the automated truck article in the same solution set.
Want a high-rack and reach truck plan for your component or material store? Send a request via request a quote or call 0902 63 79 70.