In these uncertain times one of the industries that is keeping the UK moving is logistics. Only a few months ago the focus for our industry was whether we could cope with the demands of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas. Now, we are facing a global crisis and our people are playing a key role to ensure uninterrupted supply of vital goods.
Recent years have brought a number of challenges to the logistics industry as digitisation and ever-increasing customer demands have put strain on the supply chain. Manufacturing industries are facing far greater expectations around efficiency and performance and their customers expect faster turnaround times. Retailers find themselves having to offer next day and same day deliveries for online orders. This is all against a backdrop of environmental concerns around over-packaging, damages and waste. One size no longer fits all.
Our industry has proved itself flexible in light of the changing environment. It is this agility that has ensured goods continue to be delivered throughout the UK despite the exceptional replenishment requirements. Hospitals and pharmacies are reliant on the uninterrupted supply of medical supplies and retailers are facing unprecedented demands for basic items such as soap, toilet roll, canned goods and fresh foods.
James Clark, Secretary-General of the British Industrial Truck Association states “In these challenging times, we are pleased that the Government has recognised that everyone working to keep essential supply chains open is a critical key worker. Workers across the whole logistics industry, including those that maintain the safe operation of forklift trucks, are an essential part of our country’s efforts to keep people fed and combat this deadly virus.”
Tim Waples, Chief Executive of the UKMHA, “The UKMHA is committed to supporting its members in keeping continuous, uninterrupted supply of goods and services during this time. They are operating as normal ensuring all its members have access to the the latest information and advice in line with daily government updates.”
Everyone who works in logistics should be proud of the part they play throughout all the peak periods, and particularly during this crisis. From pickers, packers and forklift drivers to the maintenance engineers, transport planners and delivery drivers, their
importance is often overlooked. It is worth celebrating the great job they do in keeping this country running no matter what unforeseen events occur.
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 UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) 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 UKMHA following meetings of both Boards at IMHX on Thursday 26th September.
“Although we are still at the discussion stage, both associations are keen to ensure complete transparency,” said James Clark. “We want to make certain that all stakeholders are kept fully informed of developments and have ample opportunity to contribute their views and suggestions.”
Combining the two organisations would undoubtedly be a logical move. There is a great deal of synergy between the two trade bodies and they have a proven track record of working successfully together. Joint ventures include the creation of CFTS, the accrediting body introduced to deliver the first national procedure for Thorough Examination that complies fully with HSE requirements. More recently, the two worked closely together in the formation of F-TEC: the UK’s dedicated centre for the training of apprentices and engineers.
“Merging would allow us to play to our combined strengths” emphasized Tim Waples. “It will enable us to further enhance member benefits and facilitate networking and sharing of information between the different membership groups. It will also give even greater impetus to existing events such as IMHX, Thought Leadership, the Annual Awards for Excellence, the Forklift Safety Convention and Safety Month.”
It is understood that no timelines have yet been set and both Associations will make appropriate announcements as the merger process proceeds.
Summing up, James Clark added “This has the potential to be a milestone development for the materials handling industry. A single, consolidated body would have the authority to speak with a single, strong voice when working with legislative bodies to shape policy.”
“Harnessing the expertise that exists within both organisations into one exceptional resource will allow us to raise industry standards; to collect, collate and share statistics as well as delivering expert guidance on safety, employment legislation and a wide spectrum of technical issues.”
As the leading UK authority on forklift matters, the Fork Lift Truck Association is often the go-to place for members of the public with pressing lift truck queries.
While a library of informative fact sheets is available on ukmha.org.uk with detailed answers to many of the most common questions, Tim Waples, UKMHA CEO has responded to some of the recent questions received by the Association.
Forklifts on public roads
If someone is crossing a side street on a forklift to travel from one department to another: Do they need to register the forklift? Does it require taxing? How far can they travel before having to register?
“The issue of forklifts on public streets is one the Association is regularly asked about. All mechanically propelled vehicles need to be registered and taxed under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.
“As to how they are taxed: forklifts are taxed based on their means of propulsion as well as their weight.
“Any electric trucks are taxed in the Electric Vehicle class.
“A forklift with a revenue weight up to 3500kg comes under the Private/Light Goods taxation class.
“A forklift with a revenue weight exceeding 3500kg (provided it is designed for use on private premises) can be classed as a work truck. It can be used on the road to carry goods between the premises and a nearby vehicle.
“Distances exceeding 1000 yards on a public road will require the vehicle to be taxed in the HGV taxation class. Distances under 1000 yards do not require registration for road use but be aware of the requirements for insurance in case the truck is involved in an accident.”
Forklift finance
Is there a way of finding out if a forklift has finance still owing on it?
“Unfortunately, only trucks registered with the DVLA can be HPI checked. However, Investec Materials Handling Finance — one of our members — can carry out a check on your behalf using their systems and at their absolute discretion. If you wish them to do this for you, please contact them on 0330 123 2017 and ask for any of the following members of the team: Jon Hussey, Stacey West or Leanne Kirkwood. They will require as much detail as possible on the machine such as make, model, year of manufacture, serial number etc.”
Second-hand guards
If you fit a second-hand overhead guard, would this need to be tested?
“Provided that the guard is undamaged, unmodified (including holes drilled for fixtures added post manufacture), is an original guard, fitted to the original mounts, with genuine fixtures and is from a machine of the same brand, model and capacity, it should not be necessary to subject it to testing. It will be up to you, or your engineer, as a competent person, to ultimately determine the integrity of the repaired machine.”
Power pallet trucks
What training is required to operate a Powered Pallet Truck?
Does a powered pallet truck require an annual LOLER inspection or is it only servicing that is required/advised?
“Regarding training for power pallet trucks: Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) states that an employer must provide adequate training for all persons using work equipment — and this includes powered pallet trucks. It also specifies that the training must cover how the machine is used, the risks involved, and detail the precautions to be taken.
“It is also essential for you to maintain up-to-date risk assessments and training records, and to ensure that adequate refresher training is provided, especially if there is a change of machinery or the application has been subject to changes. Please do not assume that there is no legal requirement to provide formal training — there most certainly is.
“The HSE has recently updated its Approved Code of Practice to clarify that LOLER applies to high-lift pallet trucks (both manual and powered) that have the ability to raise the forks above 300mm. The ACoP can be downloaded free of charge from the HSE’s website.”
Summing up, Tim said “It’s always good to see how many non-Members know to come to us for guidance on forklift matters. The Association’s wealth of knowledge and reputation as the experts is well established. We’re always looking to expand our archive of information and keep it up-to-date, so the more we’re asked the better our resources become.
When Amvar Group, TCM dealer for the West Midlands, became a Member of the UK Material Handling Association in 2015, the company was keen to reflect its status as a professional, high-quality supplier and service provider.
Managing Director Malcolm Mitchell explains: “We have been trading for more than 20 years and have built an excellent customer base in the local area.
“We wanted to move to the next level and our UKMHA Membership has given us the recognition we were looking for. Our team has made good use of the technical and legal knowledge base which is readily available to Members, and the logical next step was to take advantage of the UKMHA Member Audit.”
A strictly confidential process, the Audit examines Member companies to ensure they are fulfilling the agreed criteria for Membership: maintaining the exceptional standards for which the organisation and its Members are known. It also shares best practice so companies can benchmark themselves and benefit from shared tips, tricks and techniques.
Malcolm explains: “The UKMHA Audit was an ideal opportunity to gain an outside assessment of our current working standards, particularly health and safety. I saw real benefits to our business: raising the standards for the way in which we operate while increasing our levels of professionalism and efficiency.”
Created specifically for the forklift truck industry in order to help Members work more effectively and profitably, the process is conducted on site using face-to-face visits, guaranteeing probity – unlike some quality standards which are undertaken online and may be open to falsification.
“The process was quite exacting and required us to look at every aspect of our day-to-day operations,” says Malcolm. “That ‘helicopter’ view helped us identify areas for improvement going forward. We found it a really valuable exercise.”
The Amvar Group worked closely with UKMHA Quality Manager Lee Medway throughout the process. Malcolm explains: “We were extremely impressed with the relevance, thoroughness and engagement.
“Lee was excellent in his approach: very professional, willing to listen and really helpful in recommending appropriate solutions in areas where improvement was necessary. He’s a friendly and supportive guy who recognised – at all times – that we needed to continue trading seamlessly throughout the process.”
Since receiving its Audit Compliance certificate, employees across the business have taken a huge amount pride in their achievement. Malcolm explains: “We’re delighted to be independently recognised for the quality of our working standards. When I’ve shared this with customers, they’ve been genuinely impressed and see this as an important addition to their own quality standards by offering greater traceability and accountability.”
He concludes: “I would recommend the Member Audit wholeheartedly. It’s a commitment in terms of time and resources but it will pay real dividends in terms of delivering continuous improvement in your business.”
To find out more about the audit process, contact Lee Medway: [email protected] in the first instance.
Amvar Group is the authorised dealer for the TCM range of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment across the West Midlands. The company, a Member of the UK Material Handling Association, offers complementary handling, supply storage and workplace equipment.
With new technologies and evolving consumer behaviours driving rapid change, there will be many opportunities for the lift truck market to thrive over the next few years, says Tim Waples, Chief Executive of the Fork Lift Truck Association.
It is perhaps more important than ever that the UKMHA provides consistent services to manufacturers, dealers and operators of forklift trucks as they navigate times of change. Having recently joined the UKMHA, my next steps will be to put plans in place for our organisation’s future and to highlight the role it will play in supporting UK industry.
I am confident that the UKMHA will continue to be a vital source of reassurance over the next few years, as sectors such as logistics, manufacturing and warehousing adapt to the increasing demand for ever-greater efficiency. The rise of online shopping means warehouse spaces are growing, and with it the workload — including same-day deliveries — making materials handling equipment a vital part of any supply chain.
Industry pressures
But whereas business capacity is increasing, the number of forklifts on the market is not growing proportionately. This suggests that companies will need to enhance the performance of their existing equipment in order to meet ever-higher targets.
On top of this comes new environmental legislation on carbon emissions, leading to what is bound to be an intensifying shift from IC engine to electric lift trucks. At the start of the year, the Stage V European emission regulations came into effect, which places more stringent demands on fuel efficiency and consumption, aimed particularly at diesel-powered forklifts. But in order to meet these new standards, technology is having to become more sophisticated. A demand for longer shift capabilities has seen lead acid giving way to Lithium Ion battery technology with their opportunity for charging and lengthier life spans. Indeed, forklifts look set to continue their evolution — we live in interesting times!
A new generation
The way that the materials handling market is transforming means we may also see some changes to recruitment over the coming years. For a long time, the forklift sector has had an aging workforce, but the rise in automation technology within intralogistics could potentially attract new generations of tech-savvy young people. The UKMHA is committed to supporting engineers, both by working with new starters or upskilling those transferring from other industries roles. Our engineer-development programmes are designed to increase efficiency, reduce downtime and contribute positively to customer productivity.
Clarity amid confusion
As we move through an uncertain future and companies strive to balance cost obligations, legislation responsibilities, recruitment challenges and HSE requirements, UKMHA members are uniquely placed to offer guidance on best-practice, safety and compliance.
By working with an UKMHA member, customers can be certain of up-to-date information and practical help in keeping abreast of changes to the legal and operational landscape: with expert advice and resources to support their day-to-day operations.
It’s important to note that UKMHA members must abide by a strict Code of Practice that qualifies them to conduct site surveys, offer advice and specify appropriate equipment (and confirms that their operations are backed by multi-million pound insurance cover). That Code is underpinned by a Member Audit specifically designed for the lift truck industry, which involves an on-site inspection of more than 100 criteria across safety, environmental issues, procedures and best practice.
As a result, customers can be confident that they will receive quality-assured support no matter where they are in the UK. To find a local UKMHA member, customers can simply go to the UKMHA website at www.ukmha.org.uk/find-members.
Tim Waples, the newly appointed Chief Executive of the Fork Lift Truck Association, reflects on the challenges facing the industry today.
Assuming my new role at the UKMHA has given me the unusual but intriguing opportunity to take a fresh perspective on an industry I have served for many years. Taking the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) to the next level will be a challenge but even in these early days I can see many positives.
The Association deservedly has a strong reputation in the marketplace especially in the area of safety, but I would like it to become a no-brainer among owners and operators to work exclusively with UKMHA members. It makes sense on so many levels.
Consistent support
In industries facing rapid and near-constant change it’s important to have some fixed reference points that you know you can depend on. UKMHA members can provide those. To do so, they meet standards that are unique throughout the industry. It means that whatever the nature of your operations, and no matter where you are in the country, you can be confident of the same quality-assured level of performance and support.
Members must abide by a stringent Code of Practice which means they are competent to survey your site (taking the time to understand your application as well as your future plans), offer expert advice and then specify the most appropriate equipment. They must employ an ethical contract and provide unprecedented insurance cover. On-site support must be robust, prompt and carried out by fully trained engineers, using high quality parts.
Underpinning the code is a rigorous Member Audit. Developed specifically for the lift truck industry, it involves a physical on-site visit to inspect more than 100 criteria across the areas of safety, environmental procedures and best practice.
For customers it provides peace of mind and removes a potentially weak link in your chain of traceability and accountability.
Making more from your investment
Over the last 10 years the volume of materials being handled has significantly increased. This can largely be attributed to the rise of online shopping and greater consumer demand. However, the market size for forklifts has not grown, suggesting that businesses require equipment to work more resourcefully in order to meet ever-higher targets.
Companies want greater efficiency in distribution in order to reduce downtime, increase uptime and adhere to ever-stricter deadlines. To achieve that, forklift manufacturers are harnessing new technologies such as lithium ion batteries to perform faster and more flexibly than ever before.
We operate in a heavily legislated industry — and rightly so. It is a key function of our secretariat to keep our members constantly up-to-date on legislation so they can offer informed and expert guidance; helping customers balance legislation with business agendas and cost priorities. Importantly, all the evidence confirms that working smartly and safely also means working more profitably.
Securing a future
Like many industries ours faces recruitment issues especially on the front-line with an aging — and retiring — population of service engineers. The solution has been to work with the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) to create F-TEC — the Forklift Training Engineering Centre. They have been very successful in both recruiting apprentices and in upskilling individuals but much more needs to be done and that is one of my most pressing challenges.
Alongside that my mission is to tell the world why it makes both operational and commercial sense to work with a member of the Fork Lift Truck Association.
With Industry 4.0 becoming more and more prevalent in the industry, the uptake of new technologies can look very different from business to business. UKMHA Chief Executive Tim Waples explains the realities of the situation.
You only need to pick up an issue of any industry magazine to see the astonishing speed with which technology is changing in our sector. You’ll find lots of talk about Industry 4.0 and what it means for the future. Some of you may be more familiar with what the term entails as it can be quite broad, covering everything from robotics and automation to data and the Internet of Things.
For the forklift industry it marks a shift in the landscape. We’re seeing automation gain a lot of traction as more and more large companies choose to replace their traditional materials handling operations with automated alternatives.
And I can understand why.
From a business perspective, the benefits of going fully-automatic can be very appealing: a reduction in wages, slashed heating and lighting bills, no training costs and optimal use of space.
The biggest benefit, however, is automation’s effect on site safety. The forklift truck is officially the single most dangerous form of workplace transport according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety.
While great strides have been made to make conventional materials handling equipment safer in recent years, the majority of accidents — and resulting injuries — are down to human error, rather than technological failure.
In simple terms: the biggest threat to your operation is your operators.
This is one of the most pressing problems facing the forklift industry and one that some are reluctant to discuss. We depend on humans — and their behaviour — to get the job done. Because, while there may be a time where technological advances remove humans from the equation, we are not there yet and may not be for some time. The practicalities, including investment of time and money, are a real stumbling block to making automation a reality for many businesses out there.
When it comes to commissioning, customising and installing an automated system, the costs to the business do not follow a linear path based on system size. For smaller operations the overheads can be relatively huge — sometimes up to 40 percent of the whole system. For larger companies these costs are often far easier to swallow.
That’s why, as an industry, we need to adopt a ‘twin-track’ approach to the future. This approach would see larger organisations, such as manufacturers, distribution centres and ports falling under one set of rules, with smaller operations working under another.
Stay vigilant
If you look at what comes onto the marketplace every year, you’ll see a vast increase in technology. Safety equipment such as cameras, anti-collision systems and sensors are many and varied. While the safety benefits of these systems are undeniable, there is a danger of operators becoming overly reliant on them.
Much like the stories you hear of people blindly following their sat-navs and ending up driving into a lake or river, the risk of people simply trusting the computer to make decisions on their behalf is frustratingly high.
As an employer it’s vital that these systems are used to compliment — rather than replace — a solid foundation of operator training and best practice. You don’t want the benefits to come at the expense of the operators’ skills and knowledge.
Learn the facts
On average, every day in the UK sees three accidents that result in life-changing injuries requiring hospitalisation — and the numbers are on the rise. All this is despite the UK having Europe’s most stringent health and safety legislation.
Nearly 60 percent of those affected are not operators, as you might reasonably expect, but those working alongside them.
Physical segregation (such as barriers and designated walkways) can be very effective at safeguarding pedestrians, but for many businesses it is not always practical to implement. Even when present the use is not always policed.
Count the costs
Every accident comes at a potentially enormous cost, not just the cost to the people involved, but in fines and damages that can run into millions of pounds and a genuine risk of prosecution. Where serious negligence occurs, those deemed responsible may face prison sentences.
In recent years, we’ve witnessed a threefold increase in HSE prosecutions of company directors and senior management — often resulting in significant fines and prison sentences.
Not all incidents end up with a court appearance or even jail time, so we have to consider the true cost of those everyday knocks and scrapes.
I’m aware of one leading UK supermarket chain that readily accepts an annual bill of around £3m for repairing or replacing damaged racking alone. That’s a lot of money for just racking.
Stock damage is another huge cost in accidents. A single dropped pallet of coffee will set you back more than £5,000. And that’s just the stock. When you consider the time, cost and productivity lost to cleaning up, and factor in restocking and recycling it really starts to add up.
Then there’s the cost to the truck itself. Forklifts can be expensive to repair and a damaged overhead guard, for example, could set you back thousands of pounds.
Over the length of a typical contract, bills for repairing damage to lift trucks are estimated to add as much as an extra 5 percent to a truck’s total rental price. Stretch this across a decent-sized fleet and you could be looking at a bill of as much as £100,000.
In the UK alone, these relatively minor spills and collisions cost businesses billions of pounds every year, and yet most of these costs are avoidable with just a minimum investment in better training.
So, while we are seeing more companies making the switch to automation, it’s important to bear in mind that we are not yet seeing this among many SMEs, who are statistically far more likely to be involved in accidents.
For these companies, it’s not a practical or affordable option at present. New technology takes time to mature and for costs to drop enough that it can filter down to the lower end of the scale. For now, they must continue running small forklift fleets in real-world situations.
Of course, small businesses don’t always look to stay small and many will be looking to expand, sometimes rapidly. Any plans for automation need to be flexible to scale alongside the business. Autonomous mobile robots can be a good fit in some businesses, with more units added to the system as the need arises.
But you also need to take into consideration that most racking has been designed with humans in mind. Adopting a partially automated system can require a rethink of the physical layout and structure of your work area. Automated robots often need a highly regulated, predictable environment, and that’s not always going to be the reality when working alongside real people.
A solid plan must be put in place for how the systems might work and change as the company hits certain milestones. How will it affect staffing? Will the operator training still be sufficient? Will a whole new training plan be needed?
If we want to see significant and lasting changes, management needs to step up and take ownership in order to influence company culture and behaviours at all levels — from shop floor to boardroom.
Automation is the future, there’s no question of that, but planning for the future shouldn’t mean taking your eye off the present.
If you’re unsure as to the best approach, your local UKMHA Member will be able to provide suitable training or advise on an approved supplier, and the UKMHA website (www.ukmha.org.uk) contains a wealth of advice, guidance and resources on key safety issues.
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