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Forklift solutions for 3PL logistics

A 3PL logistics warehouse handles goods for many shippers under one roof: heavy beverage pallets today, light e-commerce cartons tomorrow, and next week a new contract with entirely different load specifications. The forklift fleet must therefore be flexible, ready for multi-shift work and easy to rebalance when the customer portfolio changes. This page summarises how STILL supports each step in the operating chain of a logistics service provider.

Operating challenges in a 3PL warehouse

Seasonal and contract-driven peaks: inbound and outbound volumes swing sharply, so the fleet needs capacity for the peak without sitting idle for too long in the low season.
Diverse goods: standard pallets, oversized pallets, long goods, loose cartons, goods that must be counted or reweighed at receiving. No single truck type does all of this well.
Busy dock doors: the time a lorry waits at the ramp directly affects service commitments to shippers.
Space costs: leased warehouse space is paid per square metre, so storage density in height and aisle width is a constant concern.
Changing workforce: seasonal drivers need intuitive trucks with safety assistance.

Overview: truck type – STILL model – 3PL application

Truck type	Typical STILL models	Application in 3PL logistics
Electric counterbalance forklifts	RX 20, RXE 10–16C, RX 60, RCE, SXV-CB	Loading and unloading lorries and containers at the dock, moving pallets inside the warehouse
Diesel & LPG forklifts	RX 70, RCD	Container yards, outdoor staging areas, heavy and bulky goods
Reach trucks	FM-X, FXR 14C–18C, FM-X SE, FM-4W	Putaway and retrieval on high racking, high-density storage
Stackers	EXV, EXV-SF, FXV, EXD 18C–20C, EXV-CB	Staging areas, mid-height racking, loading lorries two pallets at a time
Electric pallet trucks & hand pallet trucks	EXH-S, EXH-SF, FXH 20–25 N, EXH, ECH, HPS/HPT	Truck unloading, cross-docking, long-distance horizontal transport
Order pickers	OPX 20–25, OPX-L 12, OPX iGo neo, EK-X	Order picking for retail, distribution and e-commerce
Very narrow aisle (VNA) trucks	MX-X, NXV	High-density warehouses, narrow aisles, very high racking
iGo automated trucks	AXL iGo, EXV iGo, AXV 12 iGo, EXV-CB iGo, FM-X iGo	Automated lorry loading, repetitive horizontal transport, putaway to racking

The remaining category in the STILL range is tow tractors and platform trucks (LTX 20/50/70, LXT, LXW). It is useful when a distribution centre has several buildings on one site and needs a tugger train to move goods between them.

Choosing trucks by the flow of goods

The most effective approach is to follow the journey of a pallet: receiving at the dock, counting, putaway to racking, replenishing pick locations, picking, packing and dispatch. Receiving and dispatch need fast, compact trucks that fit inside a trailer; storage needs lift height and stability; picking needs ergonomics for operators who get on and off constantly. Once volumes are large enough and processes are stable, repetitive routes can be handed over to automated trucks.

A multi-client warehouse should be zoned by product characteristics rather than by customer, so the fleet stays evenly utilised as contracts change.

Solution articles for 3PL logistics

Supporting services for 3PL providers

Logistics contracts usually have fixed terms, so many 3PL companies combine purchased trucks with forklift rental to cover peaks or the start-up phase of a new contract. As the fleet grows, a fleet management solution helps track utilisation, manage driver access and record impacts. Scheduled maintenance and repair keeps trucks ready for continuous shifts, while racking systems and warehouse automation should be planned together with truck selection.

Further reading: Rent or buy a forklift and Forklift fleet management.

Get advice for your warehouse

The STILL Vietnam team can survey your site, goods flows and current contracts to propose the right fleet mix. Send a request via the request a quote page or call our hotline 0902 63 79 70.