UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 26, 2025 / As inflation continues to remain stubbornly high and drives up costs across the supply chain, UK warehouses are pushing back - not with high-tech automation, but with a return to reliable manual solutions. 

PalletTrucksUK.co.uk has seen a significant rise in demand as businesses look for practical, lower-cost ways to keep operations moving and protect their bottom line in uncertain times.

While automation was once seen as the future of warehousing, promising speed, accuracy, and smart integration, many small and medium-sized businesses are now pausing plans. In larger distribution centres, the long-term ROI of automation still makes sense. But for smaller facilities, the upfront investment and ongoing costs are often too steep. Instead, companies are discovering that, with the right manual equipment, they can maintain efficiency and reduce expenditure without sacrificing performance or safety.

Pallet Trucks UK has recorded a marked rise in orders for manual alternatives. Manual stackers are outselling their electric counterparts, manual table trucks are replacing electric table lifts, and demand for regular hand pallet trucks continues to grow rapidly. Businesses appear to be prioritising flexibility and reliability, without the added costs of power, maintenance, and extended equipment training, which can all quickly add up for smaller teams.

“It’s clear that businesses are reassessing their priorities,” said Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Pallet Trucks UK. “Manual handling equipment offers a smart middle ground. It delivers the functionality teams need to stay productive, but without the financial strain that often comes with full automation. We're seeing customers make intentional decisions to revert to manual solutions, cutting costs while keeping things running smoothly.”

Rising costs across the board, from energy bills and labour to materials and equipment, are forcing many businesses to scale back their automation ambitions. Even those who had planned significant upgrades are now revisiting those strategies. Energy-intensive systems can be expensive to operate, and long lead times for high-tech equipment due to global supply chain disruptions are compounding the challenge. In contrast, manual tools are readily available, require no power source, and are simpler to maintain, making them a dependable, affordable fix in a financially cautious climate.

This shift doesn’t mark the end of automation, but it does reflect a new wave of realism among business owners. With inflation continuing to affect margins, and capital expenditure under close scrutiny, many are embracing simpler, more sustainable options. For smaller and mid-sized operations especially, going manual isn’t a step back, but rather a smart, future-conscious strategy built on control, cost-effectiveness, long-term reliability, and greater flexibility.

For more information, please visit: www.pallettrucksuk.co.uk