APPOINTMENTS & NEWS
PERSONNEL: NIKOLA MATIC APPOINTED NEW HEAD OF SALES AT STABAU GMBH
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his year Nikola Matic took up the newly created position of Head of Sales at stabau GmbH. In his new role, he is responsible for sales in Germany and abroad and is driving forward the strategic expansion
of national and international sales activities. As a member of the HUBTEX Group, stabau will primarily rely on the various HUBTEX branches internationally. Matic has many years of sales experience
in the industrial sector. His previous responsibilities included establishing structured sales processes and further developing international market activities. “stabau stands for technically sophisticated solutions and a strong customer focus. Together with the team and the entire group, I would like to further develop the sales structures and strengthen international growth in a targeted manner,” says Nikola Matic.
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RETAIL COST PRESSURE IS FORCING WAREHOUSES TO SWEAT EQUIPMENT HARDER
etail margin pressure is increasingly being felt far beyond the shop floor, according to materials handling specialist Midland Pallet Trucks, and this can have serious, unintended
consequences. As UK retailers continue to grapple with rising wage bills, energy costs and lingering inflationary pressures, many warehouses are pushing existing equipment harder rather than investing in upgrades. Across distribution centres and stockholding
facilities, pallet trucks and handling equipment are seeing heavier workloads as operators look to control costs wherever possible. While this approach can help manage short-term expenditure, it also places greater strain on essential warehouse tools that are often overlooked in wider cost planning.
on reliable manual handling equipment such as pallet trucks, stacker trucks and lift tables, particularly in operations where automation remains limited or selective. When these tools are expected to operate beyond their intended duty cycles, the risk of slowdowns and mechanical wear inevitably increases. The is particularly noticeable in retail supply operational margins remain tight. Businesses are often choosing to extend the life of existing immediately, especially when budgets are under scrutiny.
Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | MARCH 2026 5
pressures affecting retailers are now clearly visible in warehouse operations. “Retail margin pressure is showing up on more businesses trying to stretch the lifespan of their pallet trucks and stackers rather than replacing them straight away. That’s understandable in the current climate, but equipment that’s working harder also needs closer attention. A pallet truck that slows down
or fails during a busy shift can quickly create bottlenecks
“Regular checks, proper maintenance and making sure the right truck is being used for the right task can go a long way in keeping operations running smoothly,” Chesworth said. “The risk comes when equipment is pushed harder without any corresponding focus on upkeep or suitability.”
www.midlandpallettrucks.com HUBTEX also emphasises the importance of
the new appointment: ‘With Nikola Matic, we are strengthening stabau’s sales and group- wide integration in international business,’ says Hans-Joachim Finger, Managing Director of the HUBTEX Group.
www.stabau.com
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