Tag Archives: materials handling equipment

Despite extreme pressures and setbacks faced by the logistics industry over the course of the pandemic, new reports have shown that companies have been able to successfully adapt and weather the storm, which has been applauded by materials handling equipment provider, Pallet Trucks UK.

According to the latest industry reports that reflect on the past 12 months, the logistics sector remains one of the most consistent contributors to the UK economy, proving that many players within the industry have been successful in their attempts to combat the varying issues they have faced as a result of the pandemic.

“There aren’t many industries that would be able to withstand the pressures and setbacks that the logistics industry faced throughout the pandemic but to see the amount of adaption and flexibility shown is a great example of just how great this industry is,” comments Phil Chesworth, the Managing Director of Pallet Trucks UK.

“Warehouses, in particular, have found new and innovative ways to manage stock levels, ensure speedy delivery to customers across the country, and have found new ways to provide world-class services for retailers and manufacturers who rely on a strong supply chain.”

These latest reports paint a positive picture for companies within the logistics industry, including materials handling equipment specialists, Pallet Trucks UK, which stock a range of high-performance, fully electric pallet trucks, scissor lift platforms and weighing scale pallet trucks.  

Although uncertain conditions and rising demand continue to cause some disruption for the industry, given the adaptability shown in the face of the pandemic, there is definitely no reason to not be optimistic about the coming few months and years ahead.

A top UK importer of high quality materials handling equipment is taking the next steps towards facilitating a safe and efficient future for UK warehouses with the introduction of an innovative new order picker. Pallet Trucks UK, a West Midlands-based leader in manual handling tools and accessories, has announced that the 4.5 metre fully electric order picker known as the EOP3-4.5, is now available to UK customers through its online store.

The 300kg capacity equipment provides a working height of up to approximately 6.5 meters, and has been designed and manufactured as a space-saving alternative to portable manual steps used within many warehousing environments. Featuring an integrated telescopic mast, the low profile solution aims to boost production and efficiency while addressing some of the biggest challenges facing warehouses post-Brexit.

Pallet Trucks UK Managing Director Phil Chesworth said, “As a direct result of Brexit, we’ve seen many warehouses stockpiling goods from the European Union and narrowing their aisles to optimise capacity. The introduction of this new fully electric order picker model provides an accessible and affordable solution to the obstacles that are rising as a result of work area limitations, helping operators to sustainably increase pick rate in challenging conditions, achieving faster and more accurate picks without compromising on safety.”

In addition to facilitating a more efficient future, Pallet Trucks UK is also making it easier for warehouses to increase safety within the workplace by selecting a product with extensive integrated safety features. The EOP3-4.5 boasts a spacious 650x690mm platform size for optimal operator stability during picking, and automatically reduces the maximum driving speed from 4 km/h when lowered to a slower 1.5 km/h while raised. The equipment also includes a drop valve, which enables the operator to override the system and manually lower the platform should an emergency situation arise.

While the EOP3-4.5 has been imported by Pallet Trucks UK from Europe, charging the order picker is simple with a standard UK plug and single phase 240v supply. All orders include an EC Declaration of Conformity which demonstrates that the equipment meets all relevant product safety directives, and a LOLER certificate which confirms that the EOP3-4.5 adheres to strict Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations and criteria.

The 4.5 metre fully electric order picker is available now direct from the Pallet Trucks UK website, with delivery to England, Wales, Scotland, and the Scottish Highlands. Customers can also choose to collect the EOP3-4.5 from the Pallet Trucks UK warehouse, located at the Pensnett Trading Estate in Kingswinford, West Midlands.

The mercury scarcely hits 30 degrees Celsius in the UK, but as summer approaches, it’s down to employers to make sure working conditions are just right for workers, according to one of the UK’s most prolific suppliers of a whole range of materials handling equipment, such as pallet trucks and platform lifts.

PalletTrucksUK, which has a long history of supplying equipment to a whole host of businesses, knows first-hand what impact the weather can have on a business, and according to the managing director, it’s down to business leaders to take the lead and ensure conditions are constant – before the sun hits its peak.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at PalletTrucksUK, said, “Although it’s important all year round to think about working conditions and temperatures, in the summer this is even more important. It is often easier to warm up a workplace than it is to cool one down, so getting it right from the offset is imperative.

“Overheated workers are less productive, irritable, and at risk of dehydration and illness – which can cause serious damage to individuals and the business. So investing wisely in the right equipment is something employers should think about sooner – rather than later.”

There is no law surrounding workplace temperatures in the UK. Left entirely at employees’ discretion, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 does lay down particular requirements for many aspects of the working environment. Regulation 7 deals specifically with the temperature in indoor workplaces and states that ‘during working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable.’ Highlighting fluid guidelines, it does provide employers with a sense of control, while protecting workers from impractical temperatures.

Air conditioning systems are often the number one choice for employers who operate warehouses and other buildings that get warm easily. Ensuring a workplace has good ventilation can also help significantly. However one of the best ways to ensure workers don’t overheat in the summer is to provide robust equipment that they can rely on. Cutting down on the amount energy used to carry out manual tasks, reliable equipment can prevent workers from overheating when British summer time is at its peak.

PalletTrucksUK has one of the largest ranges of equipment available to purchase online. Ideal for a range of businesses in varying sectors, reliable equipment can make a huge difference to a business all year round – not just in the summer months.

Britain’s construction industry fared better than expected last month due to a strong performance in residential builds. Despite usually slowing down towards the end of the year, the sector has continued to rebound from the dip after the referendum earlier in the year. And PalletTrucksUK, one of the leading suppliers of pallet trucks, stacker trucks and other essential materials handling equipment, has advised companies to capitalise on the industry growth and push forward with new developments by stocking up on premium equipment.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at PalletTrucksUK, said, “The construction industry is the key to the country’s growth lock. If things are looking up, the construction industry thrives, and if things are looking less than bright, it seemingly grinds to a halt. The news that the industry is back on track after a lull is great news for the country as it shows there is investment interest and signs of growth for the coming year. However this doesn’t mean that businesses can take their finger off the pulse.

“The term ‘strike while the iron is hot’ has never been more apt than it is when talking about the construction sector at present. It is up to companies to make the most of the opportunities on offer to cement their future.”

In the wake of the referendum result, many sectors were taking cautious steps. As a result, the country’s sectors seemingly plunged into a decline that lasted for months. But the end of the year has brought back confidence with most sectors reporting strong recoveries.

But overall, activity in the construction sector expanded for the third month in a row, and at a faster pace than predicted by economists. The main reading on the Markit/CIPS UK construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) sat at 52.8 last month, which was not only at an eight month high, but was also up from 52.6 in October.

Although great for the country, and of course the ever fragile construction industry, this announcement was swiftly followed by the news that the pound’s sharp fall is raising import costs for businesses – resulting in the steepest rise in prices for more than five years.

“It is up to businesses to look at ways they can save money in the long-term should prices continue to rise,” added Phil. “Investing in quality equipment may seem like a big expense for firms now, but it will add up to large savings in the future by helping to streamline processes and reduce the need to fix or replace it in just a few short years. And by doing so now, they will beat the expected further inflation rises.”