UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 25, 2026 / Pallet Truck Shop, the UK’s largest supplier of pallet and sack trucks, is warning that cybersecurity incidents are no longer just an IT issue, but a growing operational risk that can directly disrupt physical warehouse activity.

As cyberattacks continue to affect businesses across retail, logistics and manufacturing, Pallet Truck Shop says the knock-on effects are increasingly visible on the warehouse floor. When digital systems fail - from order management platforms to inventory tracking tools - manual processes often become the only way to keep goods moving.

In these situations, the role of manual handling equipment - already the reliable backbone of every warehouse - becomes critical. Without access to automated routing, picking instructions or conveyor systems, warehouse teams are forced to rely on pallet trucks and other basic equipment to maintain flow, often under significant pressure and with reduced visibility of stock movements.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Pallet Truck Shop, said many businesses underestimate how quickly digital disruption becomes physical disruption.

“When systems go down, it doesn’t stay in the server room,” he explained. “It lands immediately on the warehouse floor. Suddenly teams are working manually, processes slow down, and the simplest tasks become more complex. That’s when reliable handling equipment becomes essential to keeping operations running.”

Chesworth added that the resilience of manual equipment is often overlooked in wider continuity planning. “In a cyber incident, you lose visibility, automation and coordination,” he said. “But goods still need to move. Pallet trucks, stackers and table trucks become the backbone of the operation because they don’t rely on connectivity or software to function.”

Businesses with well-maintained manual handling fleets are often better able to adapt during system outages, as staff can continue moving stock, fulfilling orders and managing dispatch processes with minimal technical dependency. However, inefficiencies can still arise if equipment is poorly maintained or insufficient in number to handle increased manual workload.

While digital systems are essential for modern logistics, the ability to maintain physical movement of goods during outages remains a critical safeguard.

“Cyber incidents are now part of the operational landscape,” Chesworth added.

“Businesses need to plan not just for system recovery, but for what happens in the meantime. The warehouses that cope best are those that can switch to manual processes without losing control of movement and safety.”

To find out more about Pallet Truck Shop, visit: www.pallettruckshop.co.uk.