The forklift truck industry was one of the earliest sectors to feel the effects of the economic downturn but could be one of the first to emerge from the recession, says John Maguire, sales and marketing director of UK based forklift truck manufacturer Narrow Aisle FLEXI.
In recent weeks Narrow Aisle, who design and build the award-winning FLEXI range of articulated forklift trucks in Britain, have witnessed an increase in new truck orders and an upturn in short term rental activity within the UK and mainland European markets.
John Maguire, sales and marketing director Narrow Aisle Flexi, comments: Non-standard economic indicators such as forklift truck sales figures are a good substitute for official figures, which have proved all too fallible. Rising forklift truck sales can be taken as a strong sign that industry is investing - and that the economy is therefore on the move.
He continues: The forklift market has clearly been impacted by the problems that the manufacturing sectors have had and it is difficult to predict how quickly the UK forklift truck market will recover but from the feedback we are getting it seems clear that companies are seeking solutions to reduce their outlay in materials handling and logistics and are seeking trucks and other handling equipment that will enable warehousing and distribution centre operations to operate more cost efficiently.
Narrow Aisle reports strong demand for its products from Europe. The company has recently delivered trucks for a number of high profile European retailers and manufacturers including French DIY giant Castorama and German automotive industry supplier Brose. The UK market is also showing signs of recovery with strong interest and a number of sizable orders recently signed.
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