STILL UK has launched an Automation Business Unit to coordinate its warehouse automation activities. Established in January 2026, the unit brings together storage solutions, very-narrow-aisle trucks and order pickers, alongside the design and support capabilities required for integrated installations.
The company says the change is intended to encourage a consultative sales model. Rather than treating automation as a choice between one manual or automated machine, the team will assess the customer’s operating targets and consider the full portfolio.
That approach includes the site itself. On brownfield projects, STILL reviews floor capacity and flatness, rack-column loads, the building envelope, sprinkler provision and construction-control obligations before equipment is specified. The objective is to identify constraints that could otherwise disrupt installation later.
The offering is grouped within STILL’s iGO modular automation ecosystem, which covers autonomous trucks, compact storage and software analysis tools. Project timing depends on the application. A point-to-point AGV may be operational around one month after delivery to site, while a tote-to-person system may take six months. A four-way shuttle project can require 12 to 18 months including construction, installation and commissioning.
Customers are generally seeking higher pallet density, improved efficiency and the redeployment of employees to other activities. STILL gives three to five years as a broad payback range, while stressing that each business case differs.
Target applications include pharmaceuticals, fresh food, third-party logistics and refrigerated or freezer facilities. The company says automation is increasingly attractive in cold stores because it can reduce exposure to difficult working conditions.
STILL also points to service provision as a critical differentiator. Software-to-WMS integration, technical support and response times are presented as integral to the business case, not as after-sales additions. The UK team is now building awareness of the ABU among major accounts and dealers.
A multilingual professional experienced in Europe, Canada, and China, Herbert has developed invaluable networks in the automotive and energy industries. He has led high-profile projects involving ENBW, Mercedes-Benz Group, Siemens Group, and the Fraunhofer Institute.