Warehousing Driving Force in Economic Recovery, Says Midland Pallet Trucks

Midland Pallet Trucks, a provider of high-quality material handling equipment including pallet trucks, manual stacker trucks and lift tables, has pinpointed the warehousing industry as the driving force for economic recovery in the UK.

With 64% more warehousing space leased in 2020 than 2019, the warehousing industry is enjoying a period of unprecedented success and is set to play a key role in the economic recovery of the UK in the coming months.

With online giants Amazon and meal kit company Hello Fresh accounting for 40% of the take-up last year alone, the demand for warehousing space remains high moving into 2021 as Brexit and the coronavirus crisis drives the growing demand for good quality space.

As experts in material handling equipment commonly found in warehouses, Midland Pallet Trucks is championing the role of the warehousing sector and the role it has to play in driving economic recovery, but also warns that those working within the industry need to be further protected from the risk of workplace injuries.

According to the latest data released by HSE, manual handling, awkward or tiring positions and keyboard work or repetitive action are estimated to be the main causes of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. They have significantly contributed to the £16.2 billion cost of work-related injury and ill-health in the past 12 months.

Currently, the number of days lost due to short and long term musculoskeletal disorders stands at 8.9 million with 480,000 workers being affected. This has a hugely detrimental economic impact on industries that have already suffered losses due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and could hamper the warehouse sectors ability to scale.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Midland Pallet Trucks, said “There is little doubt that our warehousing industry has played an important role during the Covid-19 pandemic, but with the sector experiencing levels of demand not seen before, it’s important that managers play their part in protecting those that keep business wheels turning.

“Having more lifting equipment available to workers can cut down on disruptions to productivity and help safeguard workers against the risk of common workplace injuries which is imperative if we want to turn the corner on what has been a worrying time for the UK economy.”