Our Contribution to a Sustainable Future

With its focus on repairs, maintenance, and refurbishment, STILL has always put sustainability at the heart of its business. Over the decades, the company has continually developed its operations to promote careful use of all resources, including energy and time. This sustainable approach is something that its customers continue to value to this day.

In intralogistics, sustainability encompasses not only the circular economy and resource conservation, but also the optimal utilisation of industrial trucks. STILL’s Smart Life Cycle Management programme helps companies extend the service life of their industrial trucks in a cost-effective manner.

Expert condition assessment

To this end, STILL experts assess the condition of vehicles whose lease agreements are due to expire – regardless of the manufacturer. This assessment is based on data collected in collaboration with the customer and a technical inspection of the vehicle. The result is a clear recommendation on whether it is worthwhile extending the contract and continuing to use the vehicle, or whether replacing it would be more sensible.

For STILL vehicles, economic indicators are also considered, such as comparing the leasing rate for continued use with that of a new vehicle. For electric vehicles, the condition of the battery is also factored into the assessment.

Additional recommendations, such as those regarding service intervals or upcoming replacements, enable a reuse and cost-saving strategy tailored precisely to the individual company. The aim is to maximise utilisation of vehicle and battery life cycles in order to conserve resources and reduce CO₂ emissions.

In nature, everything is a cycle – nothing is wasted. Taking this as an example, the key to a sustainable economy is circularity, whereby resources remain in circulation for as long as possible. To this end, STILL has defined a clear roadmap featuring sustainable products, closed production cycles and circular business models.

Essential elements include ergonomics, safety and user-friendliness, which reduce staff strain, as well as intelligent assistance systems and automated processes that ensure low-wear operation.

The repeated Platinum rating from EcoVadis confirms the effectiveness of these measures.

Groundbreaking RXE concept study

The 2022 concept study for the next generation of STILL RXE electric forklift trucks marked the start of an initiative to develop vehicles in line with circular economy principles from the outset. This approach considers all scope emissions across the value chain: the goal is to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 15 per cent in the supply chain, 50 per cent in production, and 25 per cent during operation.

STILL has also been implementing a comprehensive asset lifecycle management programme for years, covering everything from the first and second product lifecycles and component recycling to the continued use of lithium-ion batteries and their eventual return to production at a rate of 95 per cent.

Since 2026, STILL has made the operating manuals for all new vehicles available digitally via the STILL Smart Portal. Manuals for older models can also be accessed via the portal. By providing these manuals digitally, the majority of previously printed manuals have been replaced, reducing paper consumption, as well as the resources required for printing, storage and transport.

Access via the STILL Smart Portal

The latest versions of the operating manuals are available via the STILL Smart Portal, complete with a search function, and can be downloaded in the desired language. For new vehicles, access is via a QR code on the factory plate which leads directly to the Smart Portal. For existing vehicles, documents can be accessed by entering the serial number.

accessed by entering the serial number. STILL also provides a digital spare parts catalogue via the Smart Portal, in addition to the operating manuals. Digitising these documents is part of the company’s strategy to make its service processes more resource-efficient.

In collaboration with Voss Edelstahl and special vehicle manufacturer Barrus Engineering, STILL developed a forklift truck for a Voss employee of short stature. Unlike standard solutions such as pedal extensions, this custom-built vehicle gives the employee full control over the truck, enabling them to work safely and independently and to be fully integrated into the team.

Flexible driver’s workplace

The bespoke RX 60-50/600 electric forklift truck was developed in close consultation with its future user. At the heart of this inclusive design is an electrically height-adjustable driver’s platform. This maintenance-free feature can be lowered and raised at the touch of a button. Intelligent sensors monitor the positioning and stability of the floor plate to ensure safe operation.

Thanks to the adjustable driver’s platform, the vehicle can be used by all staff members flexibly. This allows the forklift truck to be utilised to its full potential whilst eliminating the need for an additional vehicle that could only be operated by one person.

In April 2026, as part of the IFOY AWARD Test Camp, a panel of experts and scientists assessed this forklift truck in the Innovation Check to determine its market relevance and customer benefit, recognising it as an IFOY finalist.

Resource conservation is an integral part of STILL’s trade fair and event concept. This includes measures from preparation to dismantling, such as minimising transport distances through regional sourcing, using reusable materials, providing sustainable catering and using low-emission transport. Circularity is at the heart of this, and one of the key principles of STILL’s holistic sustainability strategy.

Pioneering collaboration with Trash Galore

In 2024, STILL became the first LogiMAT exhibitor to collaborate with Trash Galore, a Leipzig-based reuse specialist. The aim was to find sustainable solutions for materials that could not be reused for future trade fair appearances. This resulted in a saving of 4,150 kg of CO₂ equivalents at LogiMAT 2025.

Around 959 kg of exhibition materials were donated to local charities. STILL banners, for example, were transformed into stylish bags and pencil cases at Lederschmiede, a social enterprise run by Caritas Stuttgart.

This collaboration with Trash Galore complements STILL’s other resource conservation measures and is an integral part of its sustainable exhibition presence. The company is continuously refining its trade fair and event concept to reduce resource consumption and increase the reuse of materials at events.

Supporting young talent is a key part of STILL’s staff development programme. Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening STEM skills. In partnership with schools and educational initiatives, STILL runs practical projects designed to inspire young people to pursue technical apprenticeships.

Reaching around 10,000 young people each year

STILL reaches around 10,000 school pupils every year through school partnerships and career guidance programmes, supporting them in their transition from school to working life. Around 120 young people complete a work experience placement at the Hamburg plant every year, while a further 160 get to know the company as part of the ‘Future Day’ programme.

STILL trains around 70 young people each year across seven apprenticeship programmes and five dual study programmes, and this figure is increasing. The training programme combines technical qualifications with personalised support and flexible development opportunities. Team-building initiatives, such as the forklift truck construction seminar, help new trainees settle into the company.

With an average retention rate of over 90 per cent, training at STILL offers young people long-term career prospects within the company.

In 2025, STILL was once again awarded the ‘Outstanding Commitment to Career Guidance’ seal by Schule Wirtschaft Hamburg. This extended the certification, which had already been awarded for the period 2022 to 2024, by a further three years.

Joint sporting activities strengthen team spirit and promote staff wellbeing. At many STILL sites, they are also associated with social responsibility initiatives. These events attract high levels of participation from employees and have now become an integral part of STILL’s corporate culture.

STILL’s commitment across EMEA

Examples from 2025 illustrate the diversity of STILL’s commitment across EMEA: in Sweden, 20 employees took part in the Blodomloppet, a charity run that raises awareness of the importance of blood donation. STILL covered the entry fees for this event. In France, employees covered 51,636,327 steps as part of a company-wide challenge to raise awareness of breast cancer prevention during Octobre Rose.

In Poland, 100 employees took part in the Poland Business Run, the country’s largest corporate relay race, to support people with mobility impairments and women who have survived breast cancer. At the Hamburg headquarters, more than 180 employees in 38 teams took part in the MOPO Team Relay, thereby strengthening team spirit.

These initiatives are just a few examples of the many activities taking place at STILL’s international sites that combine health, team spirit, and social commitment.