UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 16, 2025 / With Black Friday fast approaching, warehouses and fulfilment centres across the UK are preparing for one of the busiest periods in the retail calendar. As e-commerce volumes surge and customer expectations for rapid delivery reach record highs, Midland Pallet Trucks is sharing expert insight into how businesses can stay efficient, safe, and productive during peak season.

Every year, warehouse operators face the same challenge: handling huge order spikes while keeping operations flowing smoothly. Congestion, equipment breakdowns, and worker fatigue can all contribute to costly bottlenecks that delay dispatch and damage customer satisfaction. Preparation and reliable manual handling equipment are key to maintaining performance and avoiding unnecessary slowdowns.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Midland Pallet Trucks, said, “Black Friday brings enormous pressure to the logistics sector, especially for those managing fast-moving stock or multi-channel operations. When order volumes soar, it only takes one weak point - such as an unreliable truck, a poorly laid-out picking route, or an overworked team - to cause a serious bottleneck. Having dependable, easy-to-use handling equipment is one of the simplest ways to keep goods moving safely and efficiently, even if all else fails.”

With demand for same-day and next-day delivery continuing to grow, many warehouses are looking to blend automation with manual processes to keep up with consumer expectations. While technology plays a growing role, Chesworth says that well-maintained, ergonomic handling tools – such as pallet trucks, stacker trucks and lift tables –  remain essential for flexibility and even for damage control, particularly in environments where automation can’t reach every corner.

“Even the most advanced systems rely on human operators,” he added. “Manual handling equipment bridges the gap between automated systems and hands-on work, helping teams move quickly without compromising safety. Investing in durable, ergonomic tools not only boosts productivity but also protects staff from fatigue and injury - something that’s especially important during peak periods like Black Friday. 

Midland Pallet Trucks continues to work with warehouses and retailers across the UK to prepare for seasonal surges. The company’s focus on reliable, high-quality handling equipment ensures that logistics teams can confidently tackle the intensity of Black Friday, and the weeks of Christmas trading that follow.

For more information, visit https://www.midlandpallettrucks.com.