Lifting to new heights

IT’S BEEN a year defined by record-breaking events, pioneering initiatives and an unmistakable sense of momentum, marking a bold new chapter for the organisation.

At the heart of this progress is the development of an industry-defining training facility, set to open in Spring 2026. Constructed to meet the evolving needs of technicians and engineers, the new centre will become a cornerstone of professional excellence and safety across the sector.

UKMHA CEO Rob Fisher described the moment as “the beginning of a truly exciting new chapter,” reflecting on a period that has seen the association’s influence and engagement reach new heights.

“Since the merger of BITA and FLTA, UKMHA has evolved enormously,” he said. “We’re now entering our most dynamic phase yet. The past 12 months have been among our most successful – and 2026 promises even more.”

The association’s flagship event, The Archies Awards 2025, drew a record crowd of more than 500 professionals, celebrating the people, products and projects driving the industry forward. The event reaffirmed the UKMHA’s position as the unifying voice of the material handling community.

Earlier in the year, National Forklift Safety Day captured attention nationwide, reinforcing the critical importance of safe working practices. The campaign reached thousands of businesses and operators, underlining the association’s commitment to making every workplace safer.

Closing the Knowledge Gap

Safety remains at the core of the UKMHA’s mission, exemplified by the launch of the Incident Reporting Portal – a groundbreaking new platform designed to close the industry’s knowledge gap around accidents and near misses. The confidential, anonymous system is open to anyone working with material handling equipment, creating a valuable evidence base to inform future training and safety standards.

The initiative represents one of the most important steps forward for industry safety in decades. Currently, there is no reliable national dataset covering incidents involving forklifts and other material handling equipment. Without this visibility, identifying recurring causes and targeting improvements in training or site design is challenging.

By encouraging businesses and individuals to log incidents, the portal will generate an unprecedented level of insight. Each report, whether it involves an accident, a near miss, or even a damage-only event, helps build a clearer understanding of the risks professionals face every day.

David Goss, UKMHA Technical Director, explained: “If we are to improve safety around material handling equipment, then we must gather as much information as we can into the circumstances surrounding incidents. Only by doing this can we hope to understand why accidents occur and make the necessary improvements thereafter. This portal is not about blame, it’s about creating solutions.”

Users can upload information anonymously, describing the circumstances, equipment type and severity of the event. All data is reviewed confidentially by UKMHA staff, ensuring privacy and compliance at every stage. The goal isn’t enforcement or liability, but collective learning.

Rob Fisher added: “Knowledge is power, but only if it is shared. Every report submitted, no matter how small, has the potential to help prevent future accidents. Safety never sleeps, and with industry support we can make a real difference.”

Championing Female Leadership

The past 12 months has also highlighted the diversity of leadership within the UKMHA community. Across the association’s membership, more and more women are shaping the direction of their businesses and helping redefine what leadership in material handling looks like.

For many years, women have worked hard to establish themselves in senior roles within traditionally male-dominated industries such as logistics, warehousing and materials handling. Today, the tide is turning. Female leaders are stepping forward with confidence and in doing so, they are bringing fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose to their organisations.

Three inspiring examples can be found among UKMHA’s member companies: Rachel Moore, Managing Director of Jofson Ltd; Zoe Ferriday, Managing Director of HFT Forklifts; and Gillian Reed, Managing Director of STILL Materials Handling. Each has built a career grounded in hard work, technical understanding and an unwavering belief in the people around them.

Their success reflects the broader truth that women bring a distinctive range of leadership qualities that the modern industry increasingly values.

These leaders have also championed flexible working practices and professional development programmes that reflect the changing expectations of the workforce. As a result, their companies have not only become more adaptable and innovative, but also more attractive to the next generation of engineers and technicians.

The UKMHA continues to celebrate and support women across the industry through its events, communications and partnerships, helping to create visible role models for future leaders. The success of members like Moore, Ferriday and Reed serves as a clear reminder that the future of material handling depends on diverse leadership and the full participation of talent at every level.

Building for the Future

Looking ahead, the new training and innovation centre in Kibworth, Leicestershire will serve as a national hub for learning, collaboration and development. Perfectly positioned near major motorway links, it will be open to all UKMHA members and set new standards for industry training.

The facility will not only deliver hands-on technical education but will also become a focal point for innovation, research and community engagement, bringing together manufacturers, dealers, operators and policymakers to shape the next era of material handling.

With a year of significant milestones behind it and a clear vision for the future, the UKMHA is on an upward trajectory into 2026 and beyond, ready to lift the material handling industry to even greater height.