What Material Handling Equipment Is Available in the UK?
From busy warehouses and distribution centres to factories, workshops and production facilities, businesses across the UK rely on material handling equipment to move, lift, store and position goods safely and efficiently.
But with so many different types of equipment available, what material handling equipment can you buy in the UK, and which solution is right for your business?
The answer depends on what you need to handle. Whether you're moving pallets across a warehouse floor, lifting heavy components, transporting drums or creating a more efficient production process, there is a wide range of equipment designed to support different tasks.
This guide explores the main types of material handling equipment available in the UK and how they can be used in the workplace.
What Is Material Handling Equipment?
Material handling equipment is a broad term used to describe equipment that helps businesses move, lift, store, transport or position goods and materials.
It can range from a simple hand pallet truck to an electric stacker, conveyor system or specialist lifting solution.
The purpose is simple: to make handling tasks more efficient and reduce the need for unnecessary manual handling.
Action Handling's range covers equipment for moving and lifting goods, including pallet trucks, conveyors, stackers, scissor lift tables, work positioners and specialist drum and cylinder handling solutions.
1. Pallet Trucks
Pallet trucks are among the most widely used types of material handling equipment in the UK.
They are designed to lift and move palletised goods and are commonly found in warehouses, factories, stockrooms and delivery vehicles.
Options can include:
- Manual pallet trucks
- Electric pallet trucks
- High-lift pallet trucks
- Specialist pallet trucks
- Heavy-duty pallet trucks
The best choice will depend on the weight of the loads, the distance they need to travel and how frequently pallets are moved.
For occasional movement over short distances, a manual pallet truck may be suitable. For heavier loads or frequent use, an electric option may offer a more practical solution.
2. Electric and Manual Stackers
When pallets need to be lifted as well as moved, a stacker may be required.
Stackers are commonly used in warehouses and factories to lift, position and stack palletised loads.
Available options include:
- Manual hydraulic stackers
- Semi-electric stackers
- Fully electric stackers
- Light-duty stackers
- Heavy-duty stackers
- Specialist stackers for particular applications
The right stacker will depend on the load weight, required lift height and available working space.
3. Conveyors
Conveyors are designed to move products and materials from one point to another, helping businesses create a smoother flow through production, packing and distribution areas.
Different types of conveyor systems are available for different applications, including:
- Gravity roller conveyors
- Powered conveyors
- Belt conveyors
- Ball transfer sections
- Flexible and expandable conveyors
- Bespoke conveyor systems
Conveyor systems can be particularly useful where products need to move repeatedly between different workstations or areas of a facility.
Action Handling supplies conveyor systems ranging from gravity roller sections to powered and bespoke solutions designed around different products and workplace requirements.
4. Lifting Equipment
Lifting equipment is designed to help raise and position heavy or awkward loads.
Depending on the task, material handling and lifting equipment can include:
- Scissor lift tables
- Workshop cranes
- Chain hoists
- Gantries and jibs
- Lifting tools
- Slings and lifting accessories
- Work positioners
The right equipment depends on the load, lifting height and specific application.
For example, a scissor lift table can help bring products to a more convenient working height, while a crane or hoist may be needed to lift machinery or heavy components.
5. Trucks and Trolleys
Not every material handling task involves pallets. Trucks and trolleys provide a simple and practical way to move boxes, equipment and other goods around the workplace.
Popular options include:
- Platform trolleys
- Sack trucks
- Shelf trolleys
- Material handling trolleys
- Dollies
- Specialist transport trolleys
These solutions can be useful in warehouses, factories, workshops, retail environments and many other workplaces.
6. Drum Handling Equipment
Drums can be heavy, awkward and difficult to move safely without the right equipment.
Specialist drum handling equipment can help businesses lift, transport, position and store drums more efficiently.
Available solutions can include:
- Drum trolleys
- Drum lifters
- Drum cradles
- Drum handling attachments
- Drum storage systems
- Bunded drum handling equipment
Choosing equipment designed specifically for the task can make handling easier while helping businesses manage awkward loads more effectively.
7. Cylinder Handling and Storage
Gas cylinders and other cylindrical containers also require specialist handling and storage solutions.
Equipment available can include:
- Cylinder trolleys
- Cylinder storage racks
- Cylinder handling equipment
- Cylinder cages and storage solutions
The most suitable equipment will depend on the type and size of cylinders being handled and the environment in which they are used.
8. Ergonomic Work Positioners
Material handling isn't always about transporting goods across a warehouse. Sometimes the challenge is positioning a product at the right height for an employee to work on it.
Ergonomic work positioners and lift tables can help bring materials closer to a comfortable working height and reduce unnecessary bending, reaching and lifting.
They can be useful for:
- Assembly work
- Packing operations
- Production lines
- Maintenance tasks
- Repetitive handling processes
Improving the way products are positioned can make everyday tasks easier and help create a more efficient working environment.
9. Fork Truck Attachments
Forklift trucks can become even more versatile with the right attachments.
Fork truck attachments can be used to adapt equipment for different handling tasks and may include solutions for:
- Lifting unusual loads
- Handling drums
- Extending fork length
- Lifting from above using suitable attachments
- Moving specialist materials
- Transporting bulk loads
The attachment and forklift must always be suitable for the intended application, with load capacity and other operational requirements carefully considered.
Action Handling offers a wide range of fork truck attachments and can provide bespoke solutions for specialist applications where standard products are not suitable.
10. Specialist and Bespoke Material Handling Equipment
Sometimes, a standard product isn't the best solution.
Businesses handling unusual products, working in restricted spaces or managing specialist processes may benefit from bespoke material handling equipment designed around their specific requirements.
Bespoke solutions can include purpose-made:
- Trolleys
- Stillages
- Workbenches
- Handling equipment
- Storage equipment
- Pallets
- Fork truck attachments
Action Handling provides fabricated solutions for non-standard applications where an off-the-shelf product does not meet the customer's requirements.
How Do I Choose the Right Material Handling Equipment?
With so much material handling equipment available in the UK, choosing the right solution starts with understanding the task.
Ask yourself:
What Are You Moving?
Consider the size, shape and weight of the goods or materials.
How Often Is the Task Carried Out?
Equipment used throughout the day may have different requirements from equipment needed occasionally.
How Far Do Materials Need to Travel?
Short movements may require a different solution from transporting goods across a large warehouse or production facility.
Do Materials Need to Be Lifted?
If goods need to be raised or positioned at height, additional lifting equipment may be required.
What Space Is Available?
Aisle widths, turning space and the overall workplace layout can influence which equipment is suitable.
Do You Have a Specialist Requirement?
If your products or process are unusual, a bespoke solution may provide a better answer than trying to adapt a standard product.
Material Handling Equipment for Different Industries
Material handling equipment is used throughout the UK across a wide range of industries, including:
- Warehousing and distribution
- Manufacturing
- Engineering
- Construction
- Retail and logistics
- Food and production facilities
- Workshops and maintenance departments
- Public sector and facilities management
The same piece of equipment may be used differently depending on the environment, which is why it is important to select solutions around the specific task rather than simply choosing the most popular product.
Why the Right Material Handling Equipment Matters
Choosing appropriate material handling equipment can help businesses:
- Move goods more efficiently
- Reduce unnecessary manual handling
- Improve workplace organisation
- Support more productive workflows
- Make better use of available space
- Position materials more effectively for employees
- Create a more practical working environment
The best solution isn't necessarily the biggest or most expensive piece of equipment. It's the one that is suitable for the products, people and processes involved.
Find Material Handling Equipment in the UK with Action Handling
Action Handling supplies a comprehensive range of material handling and lifting equipment for businesses throughout the UK.
From pallet trucks and electric stackers to conveyors, lifting equipment, drum handling and bespoke workplace solutions, we can help you find equipment suited to your requirements.
Our range also extends beyond material handling to include warehouse storage, racking, workplace equipment, access equipment and health and safety products, making it easier to bring together multiple requirements for a warehouse or factory project.
Need Help Choosing the Right Equipment?
If you're asking “What material handling equipment is available in the UK?”, the next question is which equipment is right for your operation.
Talk to the Action Handling team about your requirements and explore practical solutions for moving, lifting, storing and handling materials in your workplace.
Call: 01279 724989
Email: sales@actionhandling.co.uk
Explore Our Material Handling Solutions
The right equipment can help make every handling task easier, more efficient and better suited to the way your business works.