UKMHA | UK Material Handling Association

Who we are and what we do

About Us

The UKMHA is a not-for-profit organisation representing all aspects of the UK's material handling industry, including manufacturers, suppliers, dealers and other stakeholders. The new association has been formed by the merger of the industry’s two most respected trade associations – the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA).

Harnessing the expertise from both organisations, the UKMHA will play a vital role as the single voice of the material handling industry, dedicated to creating an environment where all its members can prosper, and technical excellence is paramount.

Promoting improved safety standards industry-wide is a main priority, aided by existing campaigns including National Forklift Safety Day, the Forklift Safety Convention and Safety Drive. In addition to collating focused market intelligence, which is shared between all members, the association ensures that member needs are considered in key areas of legislation, including on key issues such as safety, trade and training. Representation on UK and European standards committees will ensure the highest standards are consistently maintained.

Our official Launch in association with NFSD 2021

Our mission

Our Mission Statement

Providing the entire material handling industry with a single voice and ensuring the highest standards of safety and service are maintained at all times.

COVID-19

We’re here for you

With the effects of the COVID-19 continuing to impact normal business practices, the ability of the logistics industry to maintain an uninterrupted supply of essential goods such as food and medical supplies remains vital to the nation’s wellbeing – and the role played by the material handling sector in this cannot be overlooked. Without MHE being able to operate at peak efficiency then the ability of the logistics industry to fulfil its requirements will be compromised.

In its quest to ensure the material handling industry remains operationally effective during the coronavirus emergency, the UKMHA is making freely available a series of guidelines produced by BITA to help protect everyone working in the industry. It is important for the safety of everyone in the material handling industry that these recommendations are adhered to.

The notices cover issues such as the safe cleaning of MHE, deactivating equipment, the vital importance of keeping to service and Thorough Examination regimes, and the need to maintain training standards. These will be updated wherever necessary, to reflect current health and safety requirements.

Here at the UKMHA we stand ready to support the material handling sector in whatever way we can, and an industry-wide adoption of the latest guidance will help to ensure everyone remains safe.

Keep up-to-date

Latest News

19 11 21

Government changes red diesel consent

The UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA), the trade body representing all aspects of the UK’s material handling industry, has alerted lift truck operators to important changes in the permitted use of rebated fuels, such as red diesel.

The association said the government had announced restrictions on the use of red diesel in a move which Westminster claims more fairly reflects the harmful impact of diesel emissions. The changes are intended to incentivise users to improve the energy efficiency of their operations. The government said it also hoped the changes would encourage operators to invest in cleaner alternatives or more fuel-efficient machines.

28 09 21

UKMHA reinforces the importance of Thorough Examination following fatal forklift accident ruling

The warning comes after the Health & Safety Executive successfully prosecuted the owners of a fencing business following an accident at their premises in which an employee died after being crushed by falling timber.

The accident occurred at PA Fencing Ltd in Bristol in 2017. The deceased, Roderick McKenzie Hopes, was working in a yard at the company’s premises when a telehandler being used to move timber exceeded its rated capacity and tipped over. In doing so, the truck toppled onto stacked timber which fell onto Mr Hopes resulting in his death...

28 05 21

Join us as we celebrate the official launch of the UK Material Handling Association

This year has been a momentous one for the UK material handling industry. What better time can there be therefore, for the arrival of a new association dedicated to promoting and upholding the interests of this important industry.

Merging to form the new UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA), are the industry's two most respected trade associations, the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), together with their co-owned subsidiary, Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS), the accrediting body introduced to deliver the first national procedure for Thorough Examination...

11 05 21

National Forklift Safety Day returns for 2021 with focus on accredited Thorough Examination

As part of its ongoing commitment to promote good safety protocols throughout the material handling industry, National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD) returns for 2021 with a new theme focussed on ensuring that all material handling equipment (MHE) remains safe for use.

NFSD 2021 takes place on Tuesday 8th June and for the first time is being promoted by the UK Material Handling Association, the new voice in UK material handling formed by the merger of the industry’s two most respected trade associations – BITA (British Industrial Truck Association) and the FLTA (Fork Lift Truck Association)...

10 05 21

UKMHA proud to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week

Research by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) shows that stress is the biggest cause of long-term absence in white collar employees and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has found that stress is the second biggest cause of long-term sick leave for manual workers.

UKMHA is proud to be supporting Mental Health Awareness Week by providing the important information and links on tackling workplace stress and wellbeing...

01 03 21

UK material handling industry must remain resolute in 2021

The UK material handling industry can look forward to a better 2021 but must remain resolute in the face of the ongoing pandemic and the bedding in of post-Brexit trade deals, the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) has said...

15 01 21

New era dawns for UK material handling industry

A new era has dawned for the UK material handling industry with the official launch of a new trade association. The UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) has been created to represent all the interests of the diverse material handling industry and to ensure it has a single, authoritative voice.

UKMHA has been formed following the merger between the material handling industry’s two most respected trade associations, the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), together with their co-owned subsidiary, Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS), the accrediting body introduced to deliver the first national procedure for Thorough Examination...

12 10 20

FLTA members working to “demonstrably higher standards”

The Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) has revealed details of a comprehensive on-site Audit that demonstrates FLTA members work to “demonstrably higher standards” than non-compliant companies.

Tim Waples, Chief Executive of the FLTA explains: “There are many companies who can rent or sell you a forklift and each will tell you they’re the best. But few, if any, can back that up with solid evidence.

“Your local FLTA Member can. To gain and retain their membership, each must abide by a stringent Code of Practice and must successfully complete the FLTA Member Audit...

08 06 20

National Forklift Safety Day defies lockdown to spread important segregation message

Widespread industry engagement ensured the message of National Forklift Safety Day 2020 was delivered to an important audience despite the restrictions of lockdown.

Once again championed by the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA), the key message for this year’s campaign was – and remains - Management is responsible for segregating pedestrians from Materials Handling equipment...

26 09 19

BITA and FLTA announce merger plans

In what could lead to one of the most significant developments in recent years within the materials handling industry, the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) and Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) have agreed to explore plans for a potential merger.

The announcement was made by James Clark, Secretary General of BITA and Tim Waples, Chief Executive of the FLTA following meetings of both Boards at IMHX 2019.

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About Us

Our official Launch in association with NFSD 2021

Our Mission Statement

We’re here for you

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