The future is smart, says Still

"Not everything that is possible is always sensible," emphasizes Frank Müller, Senior Vice President Brand Management, during this year's Still press conference. He is alluding to the years-long race by many manufacturers for the highest engineering performance and the most advanced equipment. "There is not just one answer to the challenges of our time: in addition to individual vehicle solutions for demanding tasks - scalable and variable - less complex, smart vehicle solutions for simple applications are increasingly being sought," Müller explains. "This may well be a forklift truck without the full package of equipment variants. An entry-level truck - ready-made and quickly available. The important thing is not to compromise on quality, safety or service!"

New at Still: "Xcellence Line" and "Classic Line"

In future, Still will have two product lines that are tailored precisely to individual customer requirements: the "Xcellence Line" and the "Classic Line". The Xcellence Line offers the most advanced technology for demanding applications, variable and customizable. The heart of this line will be the future RXE series: the next generation of electric forklift trucks. It will gradually replace the existing RX series in all weight classes and, according to Still, set new standards in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability. When it comes to energy efficiency, the new RXE 10-16C leads the way. It is possible to run the DIN EN 16796 cycle with the new RXE 10-16C in such a way that energy consumption is up to 17 percent lower than its predecessor, the RX 50 - despite the higher vehicle mass. In addition, the range of warehouse technology products is to be expanded. The Classic Line, on the other hand, offers entry-level solutions with a focus on core functions. With the Classic Line, the Hamburg-based company wants to penetrate target groups and markets in which they have previously played a minor role.

In addition to the desire for simpler products and more warehouse technology, Still is registering a growing demand among its customers for automation solutions that can be implemented quickly and are scalable. The challenge here is that the existing warehouse structure is often too cramped and therefore not suitable for subsequent automation. Still wants to remedy this with smart brown-field solutions: self-learning industrial trucks that can also cope with unfavorable conditions and a smart separation of horizontal and vertical transport with mixed-operation-compatible Turtles and AGVs.

Still sees another important field of action in modern drive technologies. Over the past decade, purely electric solutions have gradually become established for forklift trucks in all weight classes, especially as they have caught up with or even overtaken comparable V-type forklift trucks in terms of performance. Still cites its RX 60 electric forklift truck as an example of this. Still will continue to rely on several pillars for its electric drive in the future: On the one hand, lithium-ion technology is to be further advanced, including with the on-board chargers already available, which enable the vehicles to operate without the need to change batteries at all. In addition, the inexpensive and proven lead-acid technology will continue to have its place.

Smart chargers reduce energy costs

The current trend in fossil fuels has given a further boost to the switch to all-electric fleets. However, more electric forklift trucks also lead to more charging processes. As lithium-ion technology means that more charging processes take place at the same time, usually at shift changes or after the end of work, there is a risk of expensive power peaks in companies. This is where Still wants to support its customers with intelligent energy management: New, smart chargers are designed to help control charging processes intelligently, distribute the load better and thus reduce peaks.

Start with own fuel cell production

The third and certainly most innovative pillar is fuel cell technology, which Still believes has great potential in view of the current crises. After almost 20 years of experience in fuel cell projects, the company plans to launch its own 24 V fuel cell for warehouse trucks next year - produced in Hamburg. This will make Still the first original equipment manufacturer on the European market with its own fuel cell production facility. In future, customers will therefore not only receive the industrial truck, but also the fuel cell and the associated service from Still - all from a single source.

Concept study: the first circular forklift truck

In addition to increasingly stringent legal requirements, Still is now also seeing a great deal of momentum within the economy when it comes to sustainability. Suppliers are increasingly involved in the sustainability strategy of their clients and are required to provide substantial evidence, such as a positive EcoVadis ranking. Still wants to provide a smart response to this too: with a consistent circularity strategy. It focuses on consistent waste avoidance and resource circulation in all areas related to the creation, use and recycling of a Still product. As part of this strategy, the Hamburg-based company has presented a concept study: According to Still, the next RXE electric forklift truck will be the first forklift truck that is designed to be circular from the outset - from design through supply chain and production to use by the customer. The_{CO2 savings} planned in the study are indeed promising and would currently be as follows: 15 percent in the supply chain, 50 percent in production and 25 percent in use.

"Making intralogistics smart. Together." This is the motto under which Still is bundling its focus. Frank Müller is convinced: "Smart solutions are exactly what our markets need. This will take our more than one hundred years of history into a new era, together with our customers."