Beverages, food and retail have a lot in common: high volumes, fast turnover, many product lines and strict hygiene requirements. Choosing the right forklifts for the food and beverage industry and retail keeps goods flowing smoothly from plant to distribution centre to store. This article looks at the specific needs of each stage and suggests suitable STILL trucks.
Operating characteristics of the three sectors
Beverages: heavy pallets, high density, multi-shift work, frequent truck loading and travel between the plant and outdoor yards. Crates, cartons and shrink wrap are easily damaged by rough handling.
Food: hygiene requirements, limited emissions in production and storage areas, many temperature-controlled zones. Goods vary in size, and short shelf-life batches must be shipped quickly.
Retail and distribution: large numbers of orders, each with many small items, requiring accurate picking. Distribution centres are under heavy pressure in peak season, while in stores trucks must be compact enough to move between display shelves.
Production and goods in/out: electric counterbalance forklifts
At the plant and the loading dock, the counterbalance forklift is the main workhorse. In food production, electric forklifts are preferred because they produce no local emissions and run quietly. See the detailed comparison in electric vs diesel forklift.
- STILL RX 20: STILL positions this truck for heavy-duty two- or three-shift applications in narrow aisles, including beverage stores and goods receipt and dispatch in trade and logistics. It has a top speed of 20 km/h, and on the Li-Ion version just 30 minutes of charging extends usage by several operating hours.
- STILL RXE 10 – 16C: a compact three-wheel counterbalance truck which, according to the manufacturer, suits the food industry, logistics service providers and joint warehouses of large retailers, especially for loading and unloading HGVs or containers.
- STILL RX 70 4.0 – 5.0 t: a diesel forklift for indoor and outdoor applications, including the food and drinks industry, suitable when you have outdoor yards and heavy loads.
Warehouse and distribution: pallet trucks and order pickers
Once goods are in the warehouse, most work is horizontal transport and order picking. This is where electric pallet trucks and order pickers deliver their value.
The STILL OPX 20 – 25 is a horizontal order picker with a load capacity of up to 2,500 kg, which STILL presents for the retail, automotive and food industries. The STILL Easy Drive steering wheel allows steering, lifting and driving without changing grip. With the optional raisable driver’s station, the cabin rises to a picking height of 2.80 m, so operators can pick from the second rack level without a ladder.
For simple horizontal transport, a pedestrian electric pallet truck is the economical choice. See choosing an electric pallet truck and our order pickers range.
In stores and supermarkets: compact and easy to use
In stores, trucks need to be compact and easy for staff who are not specialist forklift drivers. The STILL EXH 14C is a pedestrian electric pallet truck that can be operated with one hand, designed by the manufacturer for typical transport tasks in logistics and retail: moving goods to the sales floor or to the shelf and carrying up to 1,400 kg on level ground. For even simpler needs, STILL HPS/HPT hand pallet trucks offer lifting capacities between 1,000 kg and 3,000 kg.
Equipment suggestions by process stage
| Stage | Main need | Suggested STILL trucks |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-shift production, goods in/out | Heavy loads, high availability | STILL RX 20, STILL RX 60 |
| Truck and container loading | Compact, manoeuvrable | STILL RXE 10 – 16C |
| Outdoor yards, heavy loads | Powerful, durable | STILL RX 70 |
| Picking in distribution centres | Productivity, ergonomics | STILL OPX 20 – 25 |
| Stores, supermarkets | Easy to use, compact | STILL EXH 14C, STILL HPS/HPT |
| High-volume automated loading | Less reliance on labour | STILL AXL iGo |
Automating loading and unloading
For distribution centres handling large volumes of standardised goods, dock automation is worth considering. The STILL AXL iGo is an autonomous low lift pallet truck which, according to STILL, can load up to 30 pallets (with two AGVs in double play) in approximately 35 minutes, handles goods weighing up to 1,500 kg and is aimed at fulfilment, food, retail and industry. See our warehouse automation solutions.
General points when investing
- Analyse goods flow by hour, shift and season before deciding on fleet size.
- Prefer electric trucks in food production and storage areas.
- Choose battery technology by number of shifts: continuous operations usually benefit from the interim charging of lithium-ion.
- Train operators and have trucks inspected in line with current Vietnamese regulations.
- Plan backup capacity for peak season, possibly combined with short-term rental.
For an overview of other solutions, see our industry solutions page.
Frequently asked questions
Should a food plant use diesel forklifts?
In production areas and enclosed warehouses, electric forklifts are preferred because they produce no local emissions. Diesel trucks can suit outdoor yards and heavy loads, depending on each plant’s hygiene requirements.
Which order picker suits a retail distribution centre?
It depends on picking height and travel distance. For low-level picking, the STILL OPX 20 – 25 is a common choice; if you need to pick from higher levels, consider a high-level order picker.
Does a small store need an electric pallet truck?
If volumes are low, a hand pallet truck is enough. As frequency and load weight increase, an electric pallet truck such as the STILL EXH 14C reduces physical effort and speeds up work.
Can I automate just part of the warehouse?
Yes. STILL iGo trucks can start at a single stage, such as dock loading, and then be expanded step by step.
Need a forklift solution for your plant, distribution centre or store chain? Send a request via our quote page or call our hotline 0902 63 79 70.