What is a Stillage?
A stillage is a durable cage, box or rack, usually made from metal, that is designed to store and transport goods and components safely. Metal stillages are manufactured to survive the knocks of the logistics network and warehouse floors and be reused repeatedly.
Unlike traditional wooden pallets, stillages are designed to last a long time, saving businesses money overall through minimising damage to goods in transit and removing the need for businesses to replace broken pallets constantly.
Where stillages really shine is their versatility. No matter what a business wants to transport, store or organise, there’s a type of stillage designed to fulfil each specific need.
The different types of stillages
Stillages are versatile components, coming in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations depending on the intended use and what is to be stored inside them. Below are some of the most common types of stillages you’ll find.
Solid Stillage
Solid stillages are made from robust steel sheets, enclosing all four sides of the stillage with a solid panel. This type of stillage is ideal for maximum protection during transport and storage of goods. The four corners can be fitted with panel feet to make them easier to stack to optimise the use of available floor space, or castor wheels can be added to make them easier to manoeuvre around a warehouse.
Steel Mesh Stillage
This type of stillage is created in the same way as the solid stillage, but instead of four solid steel sheets they have steel mesh sides, allowing you to easily see what is being stored inside. Steel mesh stillages are still hardwearing and can be stacked, just like solid stillages.
Removable Front Stillage
The removable front stillage is exactly what the name suggests. One of the side panels (whether it’s solid or mesh) can be removed entirely, making loading and unloading the contents within much easier.
Dropdown Front Stillage
Like the removable front stillage, this stillage has a side panel that can be removed for easier access. However, with the dropdown front stillage the panel folds in half to allow easy access to stored goods, even when the stillage is stacked below other stillages.
Open Front Stillage
The open front stillage is ideal for providing maximum access to anything stored inside. Instead of four sides, the open front stillage only has three sides, providing constant access to the contents.
Half Front Stillage
Half front stillages are almost identical to open front stillages but have a half panel at the front of the stillage instead of an opening. This provides more protection to anything stored inside but still allows a level of access when stacked.
Post Pallet Stillage
Post pallet stillages have four posts in each corner of the stillage but lack any solid or mesh sides. These stillages are ideal for storing and transporting uniquely shaped components and provide a flexible solution when solid or mesh stillages aren’t ideal.
PVC Insert Stillages
PVC insert stillages are designed to protect individual components within the stillage, minimising movement and impact to ensure nothing is broken in transit. This type of stillage is a great option when individual parts need to be kept separate in transit to minimise damage.
Euro Pallet Stillage
Euro pallet stillages are a versatile option for transporting multiple plastic euro containers, euro pallets and more. The open design makes it easy to stack multiple euro-sized containers on the stillage.
Double Euro Pallet Stillage
Like the euro pallet stillage, the double euro pallet stillage is designed to transport multiple euro containers and euro pallets. The difference between the double euro pallet stillage and the euro pallet stillage is the size, with the double version being twice as wide as its counterpart.
The benefits of using stillages
Metal stillages provide several benefits over using traditional wooden pallets and disposable packaging materials. Stillages are:
Stackable
Stillages are designed to stack on one another, saving space on the factory floor or warehouse. Certain types of stillages can be stacked and still offer access to the parts stored inside.
Durable
Because they are made from top-quality steel, stillages are built to last much longer than wooden pallets and disposable packaging, saving companies money in the long run.
Reusable
Designed to be reused time and time again, saving money on using disposable packaging and traditional wooden pallets.
Recyclable
Stillages are made from steel, so they can be recycled at the end of their service life.
Customisable
Metal stillages can be finished in several powder coatings, meaning they can be branded in your company colours.
Versatile
Pallet feet and castor wheels can be added to stillages to make them easier to stack or manoeuvre.
What is the best type of stillage to use for my business?
Stillages are a flexible transportation and storage solution, coming in a variety of shapes and sizes to cater for different business needs. When selecting a type of stillage, it’s important to understand what you need to transport or store. Before choosing, consider:
The shape of the components – Are you storing a standard shaped part or is it an unusual component?
How frequent you need to access the parts – Do you need to pick or unload the stillage frequently?
How much protection do the contents need – Are the parts inside the stillage fragile and need maximum protection?
How much storage space you have – Do you need to stack the stillages to maximise floor space in your factory or warehouse?
How much do stillages cost?
The cost of a stillage depends entirely on what kind of stillage your business requires. Steel stillages can start as low as £169.00 Ex. VAT for a post pallet but can increase to £559.00 Ex. VAT and more for specialist stillages.
If you need a standard stillage, you can browse our ready to purchase stillages. Or if you require something more bespoke, talk to our team today to discuss your needs.
