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Pallet Trucks UK – a renowned direct importer of pallet trucks, stackers, and manual handling accessories – is proud to announce the launch of its latest line of products. These additions to the company’s extensive inventory demonstrate their commitment to providing customers with high-quality equipment at budget-friendly prices.

The new range includes the following:

1.    300kg Steel Drum Cradle (DF10): The DF10 is a heavy-duty drum cradle meticulously crafted to facilitate the effortless tipping and draining of up to 200-litre drums with the convenience of one-person operation. Constructed from sturdy tubular steel, this cradle boasts a remarkable 300kg capacity and features retractable handles for ease of use.

2.    Stainless Steel Weigh Scale Pallet Truck 2000kg/0.5kg: This stainless steel weigh scale pallet truck enables the user to weigh loads on the spot, allowing for maximum efficiency and accurate weight measurements. With a weight capacity of 2000kg and a precision of 0.5kg, this pallet truck is an indispensable tool for streamlined warehouse operations.

3.    SD55A 300kg Steel Drum Trolley, SD55B 400kg Steel Drum Trolley & SD55C 300kg Stainless Steel Drum Trolley: Engineered for use with most 205-litre steel drums and 220-litre plastic drums, these steel drum trolleys offer exceptional manoeuvrability with their four 75mm swivel polyamide castors.

4.    MT001 Large Low Profile Rotating Manual Turntable & MT002 Low Profile Rotating Manual Turntable: Ideal for sealing and wrapping palletised loads, the MT001and MT002 turntables are designed to be used with a hand pallet truck. They have a low-profile design that facilitates the easy placement of pallets onto the turntables, while the full 360-degree rotation capability and foot-locking device ensure maximum convenience

5.    Media Roller Lifter PR4008: Catering to sign makers and businesses handling media rolls, this lifter accommodates rolls up to 2500mm in width and 400mm in diameter. Featuring 360-degree multi-direction wheels with brakes, nylon straps for roll security, and user-friendly foot pump and hand control mechanisms, the PR4008 is a versatile solution for smooth media roll handling.

6.    Media Roller Lifter PR4012: Designed with larger media rolls in mind, the PR4012 media roller lifter can lift up to 400kg and supports rolls up to 5000mm in width and 400mm in diameter.

7.    SHS150 Mini Hand Stacker: Equipped with adjustable forks and a remarkable lifting capacity of 150kg, the SHS150 allows users to lift loads up to 870mm high, simplifying loading processes for vans and cars.

Pallet Trucks UK’s latest product line-up exemplifies the company’s dedication to innovation and customer-centricity. By delivering top-quality products, the company aims to drive the success of their  customers in an increasingly competitive market.

Following a series of testing and deliberations, the HSE has decided against including a maximum weigh limit for pallets into the official HSE guidelines amid fears that doing so may be overly disruptive for the distribution sector.

Despite thorough considerations, with particular emphasis being placed on the importance of maintaining high levels of safety for workers, it was concluded that such requirements could be served adequately through the use of individual risk assessments conducted by transport operators.

Throughout the stages of the debate, which ensued for two years, a number of maximum weights were suggested, including 750kg, which would have applied to both good’s originators and transport operators.

After deeming it to be the responsibility of those in control of transport operations to ensure that high levels of safety are being met, the HSE has asked for a guidance covering safe handling and best practice for deliveries via pallets to be drawn up by an industry working, which is chaired by the Road Haulage Association (RHA).

Phil Chesworth, managing director of Pallet Trucks UK and its parent, the Midland Group of Companies says, “Maintaining high levels of safety for those working with loaded pallets is important, but there is nothing to say that heavier pallets are any more dangerous than those with light loads. Setting a pallet weight limit could be debilitating to workforces and it is also important to recognise that any limit would need to take into account the various different conditions that pallets are used in.

“The safety benefits of doing so would be minimal and would be better served by ensuring that the proper precautions are taken when handling pallets. Pallet Weighing Scales offer a plethora of benefits and are ideally suited to applications where pallet scales are not suitable.

“We are a materials handling supplier and work across a wide range of businesses and industries and our heavy pallet trucks are robust enough to deliver high-performance, long-lasting qualities for any type of industry.”

The British Chambers of Commerce’s director general has spoken out this week to warn the government that the Brexit deliberations could have potentially catastrophic consequences for UK firms. The notice came as it emerged some businesses were facing the biggest recruitment problem they’d experienced in almost a quarter of a century, with many companies up and down the country grappling with widening skills shortages.

Construction, hospitality, agriculture and manufacturing were some of the industries thought to be struggling with personnel shortages as uncertainties over work permits, visa and lower levels of immigration were all named as road blocks – leaving many firms facing a looming crisis. The British Chambers of Commerce’s director general also suggested that UK manufacturers may soon opt to invest in their factories overseas rather than at home, potentially unsettling the recent surge in UK manufacturing output.

Phil Chesworth, managing director of Pallet Trucks UK and its parent, the Midland Group of Companies says, “In some ways, a lack of candidates for recruitment could be seen as a positive as one of the reasons for this is record levels of British employment in recent times. However, for those businesses who are finding it harder than ever to find skilled workers, there is a very real threat of falling productivity and with it, falling profits. The manufacturing sector in particular could be especially hard hit which is such a shame on the back of it recent surge.

“As a materials handling supplier we work with manufacturers and other businesses across a broad spectrum of industries and, one thing that we would urge is to consider where materials handling equipment can help fill that gap. Where forklift truck drivers need official training and certification for example, a pallet truck handler does not. A heavy duty pallet truck can be a real workhorse and while it isn’t a replacement for a fork lift, it is a hardworking, productive and efficient alternative that doesn’t require a certified user and can keep products moving.

“Low profile pallet trucks are another option – they are specifically designed to move loads that would traditionally have been handled by a counterbalanced forklift.”

Pallet Trucks UK has applauded 2 Sisters Food Group for its latest enhancement to its Flixton site, which will create 100 more jobs on top of its current workforce which processes around 1 million birds per week.

Roles in engineering, finance, training and health and safety have been created as part of the expansion, which has been done to keep up with orders during the busy Christmas period and beyond.

Phil Chesworth, Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director, said: “It’s great to see so many new jobs being created in the area. We’re always happy to see new manufacturing positions on the market, but it’s interesting to see that there’s a diverse array of roles in areas that you might not usually expect in a factory environment.”

2 Sisters was blighted earlier in the year after a food hygiene scandal engulfed its West Bromwich plant. An undercover investigation by ITV and The Guardian showed 2 Sisters workers displaying a blatant disregard for food hygiene practice by labeling food incorrectly, picking food up after it had been on the floor and mixing batches of meat.

A huge media frenzy ensued after the footage was made public, causing 2 Sisters to close the plant whilst an investigation took place. 2 Sisters officials were also called into a parliamentary inquiry as a result of the expose.

Phil added: “After the scandal that happened earlier in the year it’s fantastic to hear some good news from 2 Sisters. The company employs a lot of people and hopefully this expansion can go towards rebuilding their reputation.”

Pallet Trucks UK supplies a multitude of manual handling equipment to food factories across the country, with its vast product catalogue including pallet trucks, moving skates, aerial work platforms, forklift fork extensions and more.

Pallet Trucks UK has urged businesses to prioritise worker safety after a dreadful accident caused a pallet to fall on a freight worker, leaving him with devastating spinal injuries and robbing him of his ability to walk.

Andrew Potts, 53, was working as a freight checker for United Pallet Network in Lichfield when the pallet holding glass fell off a curtain-sided lorry and crushed him. This came after Andrew had previously attempted to stabilize the pallets using a forklift truck a few moments earlier.

Previously a fully able man, Mr Potts has now been reduced to having to use a mobility scooter to travel more than a few feet and is completely reliant on his wife for household activities such as cooking and cleaning.

Phil Chesworth, Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director, said: “This is a really catastrophic injury which has robbed an unfortunate worker of his freedom. Going from being a fully able-bodied person to having to use a mobility scooter is devastating for both the victim and his family.

“The worst part about this injury is that it could’ve been avoided; it sounds like the pallet was in a precarious position to start with which is unacceptable in any case, but made even worse by the fact that a lack of attention to safety has cost a man his independence.”

As well as causing excruciating spinal fractures, Mr Potts suffered multiple broken bones and damaged teeth from the accident. He is now suing the owners of the lorry, Lescost Transport Ltd, for damages in excess of £200,000.

Mr Pott’s lawyers state that’s he’s been badly psychologically affected by the accident, and suffers from depression and anxiety as a result of being unable to look after himself and perform simple actions such as climbing stairs.

Phil added: “Some pallets are extremely heavy and it isn’t surprising how severe Mr Pott’s injuries are if the pallet fell on him from height, especially if it was holding a product on top of it as well.”

Pallet Trucks UK stocks a huge array of manual handling equipment used by freight workers and other materials handling professionals, including pallet trucks, moving skates, lift tables, forklift fork extensions, drum loaders and more.

In light of horrifying weather forecasts showing that the UK is set to be engulfed by multiple blizzards, freezing fogs and lethal ice sheets, Pallet Trucks UK has urged businesses to ensure the safety of their workers by using galvanized steel pallet trucks.

Galvanised and stainless-steel pallet trucks are much safer for outdoor workers due to their advanced atomic formation, making them resistant to the severe snow, frost, rain and wind that is set to batter Britain in the coming weeks.

Phil Chesworth, Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director, said: “These weather forecasts make for some truly worrying reading; blizzards, ice and snow of these levels will make outdoor work extremely hazardous during the upcoming winter period.

“Workers using regular pallet trucks to move heavy loads outside will be at increased risk of their truck snapping due to rust, which of course can create potentially life-threating accidents considering pallet trucks are used to carry loads weighing thousands of kilograms.”

Galvanized steel pallet trucks have a different atomic make-up to regular trucks that makes them invincible to rust. A special zinc coating is applied to the exterior of the truck, creating a resistant barrier that prevents the steel being eaten away by extreme weather.

Pallet trucks made of stainless steel are also resistant to the elements due to them containing chromium, an element which reacts with air and water to form an outer shield which protects the metal from being corroded.

Phil added: “It’s imperative that when these brutal weather conditions hit the UK managers equip their workers with galvanized and stainless-steel pallet trucks to keep them safe over the Christmas period.”

Many workers in Britain use pallet trucks outdoors as part of their job roles, with dock workers, food manufacturing professionals and construction workers often having to move heavy loads outside on a daily basis.

As well as being ideal for outdoor use, galvanised and stainless-steel pallet trucks are also useful for pharmaceutical environments, fisheries and food factories due to their heightened resistance to acidic and corrosive materials.

Pallet Trucks UK stocks a wide range of galvanized and stainless steel products ideal for use in extreme weather, including hand pallet trucks with a huge weight capacity of 2000kg and wide galvanised trucks capable of moving larger-than-average pallets.

Pallet Trucks UK has urged those organising Bonfire Night attractions for the upcoming weekend to consider the environment when enjoying the festivities.

Wooden pallets have become a favoured fuel of choice for bonfires over recent years, with the load-bearing platforms being stacked in huge numbers to create massive fires. Whilst they might create a dazzling spectacle, this is detrimental to the environment and only results in further deforestation across the globe.

Phil Chesworth, Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director, said: “Bonfire Night is amazing, especially for young children seeing the fireworks and sparklers for the first time. It’s worth remembering however that burning wooden pallets on Bonfire Night is a somewhat wasteful choice that fuels deforestation in many countries.

“Wooden pallets are 100% recyclable, and even if they’re damaged or broken the wood can be remade into everything from fences and sheds to tables and chairs. Why not burn waste materials for bonfire night, or replace the fire altogether with even more fireworks?”

Hundreds of millions of pallets are in circulation around the world and although the wood for much of these is sustainably sourced, logging companies continue to destroy forests and jungles across the globe in order to create wood for pallets.

The current rate of deforestation means that, shockingly, an area equal to 20 football fields is lost every minute, and the loss of forests contributes to between 12% and 17% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.

Phil added: “Our planet’s resources are the most precious commodity we have, and taking steps to protect our environment now means our grandchildren can enjoy many more Bonfire Nights for years to come.”

Pallet Trucks UK stocks a vast range of pallet trucks used to move wooden, plastic and low-profile pallets across the UK. The Midlands-based company stocks hundreds of models including heavy duty trucks that can move loads of over 5000kg and galvanized and stainless-steel trucks suitable for use in harsh environments.

Also included in Pallet Truck UK’s massive product catalogue are a plethora of others manual handling equipment goods, including moving skates, stackers, lift tables, drum loaders, platform lifts and more.

Pallet Trucks UK has made the lives of materials handling professionals across Britain easier by bolstering its already enormous range of manual handling equipment with a collection of brand new low-profile pallet trucks.

Workers have traditionally only been able to move low-profile pallets with counterbalanced forklifts, a problem which Pallet Trucks UK is seeking to eradicate with its latest product offerings.

Phil Chesworth, Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director, said: “Our latest additions provide an easy fix to professionals who work with low pallets. These are very low to the floor, and often the only thing low enough to get under the slats in order to move them are forklift forks.

“We knew that this was a problem which affects hundreds of people in warehouses, factories and building sites across the country. We’ve brought a much quicker, simpler solution into the fray which can save businesses valuable time and effort when moving loads.”

Pallet Trucks UK has brought a variety of low-profile products to the table, including pallet trucks specifically designed to carry wide loads, heavy-duty trucks which can carry weights of up to 2000kg and a super-low profile pallet truck able to lift loads that are a mere 36mm off the ground.

In addition to being able to get under low pallets, Pallet Truck UK’s low-profile pallet trucks are also ideal for moving stillages and disposable pallets, which are being used more and more in the UK.

Phil added: “You’ll often see people in warehouses and distribution centres trying to force regular pallet trucks under low-bearing pallets, which can risk breaking both the pallet and the product on it, as well as the pallet truck itself. This can cost businesses time and money, and our low-profile pallet trucks are the perfect solution to that.”

As well as stocking a vast range of pallet trucks at its Midlands-based distribution centre, Pallet Trucks UK also carries a plethora of other manual handling equipment including forklift extensions, stackers, lift tables and more.

Pallet Trucks UK has applauded the compassionate spirit of freight workers after they joined forces to deliver goods to Children in Need’s CarFest charity events. The drivers banded together to deliver 27 pallets of stock to CarFest North in Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire and CarFest South at Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire.

The CarFest events are weekend festivals that have raised a whopping £7.4m for Children in Need since they began, with this year’s festivals playing host to a range of big-name music stars such including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Busted, Manic Street Preachers and Rick Astley.

Phil Chesworth, Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director, said: “It’s fantastic and heart-warming to see workers across our industry taking time out of their own lives to help Children in Need.

“I’m aware that workers from multiple different firms teamed up together to form a transport link and delivered stock to both the CarFest festival in the north of the country as well as the southern event in Hampshire. From the pictures on the CarFest website it looks like everyone had a brilliant time!”

Companies involved in the charity efforts include Somerset-based logistics firm Just Vans Ltd, KRL from Telford, Newtonabbey-based Montgomery Transport and Andover-based AET Transport. This is the third consecutive year that the firms have got involved with helping to provide goods for CarFest.

CarFest’s event organisers called upon the firms to collect 27 pallets of stock and deliver them to their event showgrounds in order to ensure the festivals lived up to their reputation of being a fun-filled weekend packed with an array of attractions. The freight workers took up the call with gusto and delivered 15 pallets to CarFest North and 12 pallets to CarFest South, with the pallets also being collected and taken back to warehouses after the festivals had ended. Naturally, this was all done completely free of charge.

Phil added: “Children in Need is a brilliant charity and has changed the lives of thousands of young and disabled people since it was created; a huge well done to everyone involved with this year’s CarFest festivals and Children in Need.”

Children in Need is an iconic and well-known UK charity owned by the BBC that has raised over £600m for disabled children and young people in the UK. The charity holds an annual telethon every year to raise money for its cause, with the 2017 event scheduled to be broadcast later this year on November 17, 2017.

Pallet Trucks UK provides a vast range of manual handling equipment to the logistics industry including moving skates, heavy duty and galvanized steel pallet trucks, forklift fork extensions and lift tables.

Pallet Trucks UK has paid tribute to the industrial spirit of workers in Britain after the manufacturing and industrial sectors smashed expectations in August, causing the pound to rise in value.

Figures recently released in October show that total production output in the industrial sector was 1.6 per cent higher in August than a year before, beating expectations of a 0.8 per cent increase. Output in manufacturing, which is the largest portion of the industrial production figure, also defied the odds with an increase of 2.8% against a forecast of 1.9%.

This caused sterling’s value to increase by 0.3 per cent against the dollar to $1.3184 as well as edging 0.01 per cent higher against the euro to €1.1193.

Phil Chesworth, Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director, said: “Seeing the value of the pound climb thanks to the vital work of everyone involved in the manufacturing and industrial sectors is brilliant news for both the industries themselves and the country as a whole.

“The task now for us is to carry on as we have done and build on the brilliant progress we’ve made to ensure a vibrant and prosperous future for manufacturing in the UK.”

News of the increase in the pound’s value thanks to the manufacturing and industrial sectors follows on from encouraging data from September, which showed the UK’s manufacturing industry recording its first “significant” month of growth this year in July. July saw a production expansion of 0.5% driven by a sharp 13.7% increase in car production, which was the fastest rise recorded in official data on the car industry since March 2009.

Phil added: “There seems to be an upward trend of manufacturing and industrial productivity in the UK since July, and hopefully we can carry on in the same vein up until Christmas and into the new year.”

The construction industry also defied expectations, albeit to a lesser degree, after it saw 0.6% month-on-month in August 2017 against predictions of 0% growth, with the surprise rise growth being predominantly driven by a 1.7% rise in all new work.

Pallet Trucks UK supplies a wide array of manual handling equipment to the construction industry, including equipment such as forklift extensions and hydraulic jacks used to lift weights of 25 tonnes.

Many of the company’s wares are also used in the manufacturing and industrial sectors, with pallet trucks being vital in ensuring continued product outflow at factories and moving skates used being used to move weights of up to 80 tonnes safely and securely.