UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / February 09, 2026 / With labour shortages putting pressure on UK warehouses, the balance of work on the warehouse floor is changing. With fewer hands available, manual handling equipment is increasingly being relied upon to carry more of the day-to-day workload. Pallet Trucks UK says this change is forcing businesses to rethink what they need from their equipment, placing reliability ahead of outright speed.

Across regional logistics hubs in particular, recruitment challenges mean teams are often leaner than planned. In response, pallet trucks, lift tables and stackers are being used more intensively, across longer shifts and with less downtime between tasks. In these conditions, breakdowns or inconsistent performance can have an immediate knock-on effect, slowing despatch, creating bottlenecks and putting added strain on staff.

Rather than chasing faster equipment, many warehouse managers are now prioritising durability and ease of use. Well-built pallet trucks that operate smoothly and predictably reduce fatigue, help prevent injuries and allow smaller teams to maintain steady throughput. In contrast, poorly maintained or under-specified equipment can quickly become a weak point when there are fewer people available to compensate for faults or inefficiencies.

Pallet Trucks UK reports growing demand for robust manual and electric pallet trucks designed for continuous use, minimal maintenance and long service life. For many businesses, these solutions offer a practical way to support output without taking on the cost or complexity of automation, particularly in facilities where space, budget or flexibility are limiting factors.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Pallet Trucks UK, commented, “When headcount drops, equipment becomes the workforce. If a pallet truck is unreliable or difficult to handle, it doesn’t just slow things down: it puts extra pressure on already stretched teams, compounding the problem it's meant to help solve. Right now, reliability matters more than shaving a few seconds off each move.

“We’re seeing customers place much greater value on equipment that can be used hard, day in and day out, without constant attention. In a tight labour market, businesses need kit they can trust, because there isn’t the spare capacity to work around failures. 

“Reliable pallet trucks, stackers and lift tables are central when it comes to keeping operations running when staffing levels are unpredictable.”

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