What gave us confidence in working with Lowe was their understanding of the assurance environment we operate in.
From a logistics and operational standpoint, the key requirement for us is predictable behaviour under repeated handling.
What set Lowe apart during procurement was that the stillages were specified and supplied with a clear technical and assurance basis, not just a price and drawing.
In a secure defence facility, lifting and handling equipment must be demonstrably safe, controlled, and auditable.
For defence procurement teams, a key advantage is that modern stillages are fully compliant with Ministry of Defence (MOD) specifications and UK regulations – from UKCA marking to safety standards like LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations). This means every cage or frame not only performs in the field but also passes the stringent quality and safety checks required by the defence industry.
Rugged Construction for Battlefield Conditions
Military stillages are built battlefield tough, using heavy duty designs proven to withstand combat stresses and rough handling. Key structural features include thick gauge steel frames, robust corner posts, and braced bases that prevent deformation under load. Many defence stillages are tested and validated with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to ensure they can handle extreme forces and impacts without failure. They are often FEA tested to simulate conditions like vibrations in armoured vehicles or the shock of rapid deployment, giving confidence that the stillage will protect its contents in real world scenarios.
Crucially, these units are designed for safe lifting and transport in military logistics. Integrated forklift pockets and crane lifting lugs are common, allowing easy handling with forklifts or hoists even when fully loaded. All lifting points are engineered in accordance with LOLER and other safety regulations, meaning each stillage can be hoisted or craned with confidence in its structural integrity. For example, heavy duty lifting frames can be certified under LOLER for use with cranes and have been proven in both on base and field operations. Each stillage is also labeled with its Safe Working Load and Tare weight for quick reference, ensuring that users never exceed the rated capacity. Many standard military stillages can support massive loads (often around 1–2 tonnes each) and stack securely in tiers, maximising storage density. In fact, NATO standards require unit load devices to be stable when stacked up to 4 high under load, and some MOD issue cage pallets have been used stacked 5–6 units high while safely supporting ~1,814 kg (4,000 lb) per stillage. This rugged construction and certified safety prevent accidents and equipment damage during intense battlefield logistics operations.
Custom Built Solutions for Defence Applications
No two defence projects are exactly alike, so stillages are often custom engineered to suit specific military applications. Whether the need is for a rugged transport frame for an armoured vehicle engine, a ventilated cage for storing electronic communication gear, or a heavy duty rack for ordnance, manufacturers can tailor the design to fit. Bespoke military stillages ensure an optimal fit and protection for whatever they carry, improving safety and efficiency during deployment.
Armoured Vehicle Part Stillages
Massive steel cages or pallets built to carry tank and armoured vehicle components (engines, transmissions, suspensions) both in storage and during transport. These stillages are designed to support very heavy parts and often include features like crane lift points and shock absorbing mounts to protect precision components.
Deployable Field Storage Bins
Stackable, forklift friendly bins for combat engineer units and base personnel to move tools, spare parts, and kits. Often these are collapsible or have removable sides for easy access, and can be quickly deployed to forward operating bases to organise gear.
Secure Weapon & Ammunition Cages
Lockable stillages configured as weapon racks or ammo boxes, used to safely store rifles, heavy weapons, and munitions. They ensure firearms and explosives are transported in compliance with safety regulations and remain inaccessible without authorisation. For instance, a weapons transport stillage might have internal racks to hold guns in place and padlock points to secure the lid.
Electronics and Communications Equipment Stillages
Specially fitted cages for radar components, radio systems, batteries and other sensitive tech. These units often feature shock-mitigating interior fixtures (rubberised dunnage or foam lining) to protect delicate electronics from vibration and impact. They may be EMI shielded or weather sealed if needed for field conditions.
Gabion & Barrier Transport Frames
Sturdy stillages purpose built for military engineering materials like gabions (wire mesh baskets for fortifications), barriers or construction panels. They enable bulk handling of these items, making it faster to build fortifications or obstacles. Lowe Stillages, for example, has supplied frames for gabions and defence barriers to ease transport and deployment.
Maintenance Tool & Kit Stillages
Portable racks and trolleys that hold tools, repair kits, or spare parts for maintenance crews. These can roll into a workshop or flight-line, keeping mission critical tools organised and then be lifted or secured for transport when the unit moves. Built with drawers or shelves, they ensure combat engineer
All such stillages are designed with the end user in mind – easy to handle, safe to use, and durable in harsh conditions. Features like stacking lugs (to safely stack multiple units), drop down access doors (to reach contents without unloading entirely), and tie down points for strapping equipment are commonly incorporated based on the operational needs. By working closely with military engineers and logistics personnel, manufacturers can incorporate feedback so that the stillage design truly streamlines the workflow – whether on a base, in a maintenance depot, or out in the field.
Compliance with MOD, UKCA and NATO Standards
Defence procurement and compliance teams demand that any equipment meets all relevant standards – and military stillages are engineered for full compliance. Manufacturers ensure that every stillage is UKCA certified (and formerly CE marked) to meet UK/EU directives for structural integrity, welding, and safety. All critical welds are performed by certified welders and inspected to strict quality levels (e.g. ISO 9606 and ISO 5817 standards) to guarantee strength and consistency. Each unit typically comes with a complete technical file and certification package, including material certificates, welding procedures, and load test reports. This documentation gives MOD buyers confidence that the stillage meets legislative requirements and will perform reliably over its service life.
For military use, stillages often adhere to NATO standards as well. Designs can conform to NATO guidelines for dimensions and stacking (such as STANAG 2828 for military pallets and containers), and products destined for NATO use can be assigned official NATO Stock Numbers for inventory tracking. In practice, this means a stillage built for the UK armed forces can integrate seamlessly into NATO logistics systems, and its performance specifications (like load capacity and footprint) match the accepted military norms. All units are typically painted or finished in compliance with defence specifications – for example, military-grade corrosion-resistant coatings or specific colors (like NATO green or desert tan) if required. Furthermore, any stillage intended for munitions or sensitive equipment will meet additional MOD regulations (such as ammunition handling safety standards or armory security requirements). In short, compliance is built in by design: every defence stillage is traceable, certified, and ready for use under MOD contract conditions from day one.
Secure Handling, Traceability & Accountability
Security and accountability are paramount in defence logistics. Military stillages are therefore designed not only to be physically secure but also administratively traceable at every step. Many units feature lockable lids, doors or mesh panels, enabling secure weapon storage racks, ammo crates or sensitive equipment cages that prevent unauthorized access. For example, a lockable stillage can serve as an armoury compliant storage unit for firearms or as a tamper resistant communications gear cage. Durable hasps and padlocks or integrated locking mechanisms ensure that once loaded and locked, the contents remain secure until an authorized person opens it – an important feature when handling weapons, ammunition, or confidential equipment in the field.
Equally important is traceability. Each stillage is usually tagged with a unique serial number and often a barcode or RFID, which corresponds to detailed production records. Defence suppliers maintain complete traceability of materials and labor that went into each unit. This means the MOD or contractor can trace exactly which batch of steel was used, who welded the frame, and when it was inspected. Serialising every unit also allows for MOD asset tracking, the stillage can be logged in inventory systems by its number, making it easy to track its location, contents, and maintenance history (crucial for audit and fleet management). Procurement teams appreciate that suppliers provide full documentation and transparency: batch and order numbers, inspection certificates, load test results, First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) and more accompany the delivered product. Such documentation not only satisfies compliance audits but also instills confidence that the equipment has been thoroughly tested (e.g. weld xrays or dye penetrant test reports to verify no defects). In essence, a defence stillage comes with a paper trail and quality pedigree that assures it can be safely put to use in critical military operations without concerns about hidden flaws or non conformance.
Proven Performance and Support
Defence organisations require not just good products but also a trustworthy supply partner. Leading stillage providers for the military sector bring decades of experience and understand the unique demands of MOD contracts and operations. For example, Lowe Stillages & Cages has 30+ years of experience with military and MOD standard equipment, with solutions that have been proven in applications ranging from tracked fighting vehicles to submarines. This kind of experience means the engineers know how to meet strict defence procurement specs and deliver on time, while maintaining the confidentiality often required for defence projects.
Quality and reliability are non negotiable in this industry. Reputable manufacturers implement rigorous quality assurance programs – including ISO 9001 certified quality management systems – to ensure every stillage leaving the factory meets the expected standards. Many offer ongoing support such as spare parts, repairs, or recertification services over the product’s life cycle, which is valuable for long term military programs. The result is a long term, trust based relationship: defence clients can rely on these stillages in critical missions, and they know the supplier will stand behind the product if any issues arise.
Finally, by choosing MOD compliant stillages from an experienced UK manufacturer, defence procurement teams and military end users alike gain peace of mind. They get storage and transport equipment that is battle proven, certified safe, and built to NATO/UK standards, ensuring smooth integration into existing logistics systems. From secure handling of weapons and ammunition to efficient transport of vehicle parts and field gear, these stillages provide a robust backbone for military logistics – keeping critical assets protected, organised, and ready for deployment.
