MATERIAL HANDLING It’s highly likely then that 2026 will see
increased investment in operator training programmes that promote safety, staff well-being and continuous improvement. In particular, forklift truck training will take a higher levels of on-site safety.
6. AUTOMATION AND ‘THE CONNECTED FLEET’ FIT FOR A DIGITAL AGE become more integrated, more intelligent and more connected. Digital transformation of the warehouse will continue apace in 2026, with increasing levels of automation, principally in the form of AMRs, AGVs, shuttles and sophisticated conveyor systems. However, businesses will need to ensure they have the expertise within the business to deliver a viable solution with a reasonable ROI.
become more integrated within the warehouse growing number of businesses, not just large vehicle usage data will help drive overall performance and provide valuable guidance on
such as Rushlift’s on-line proprietary Fleet Management System, can gather data on vehicle usage and overall performance of data-driven decisions in real-time, such as reallocating resources to where they’re needed quickly. In addition, remote access by off-site service engineers will increasingly help extend vehicle up-time, facilitating preventative maintenance, fast diagnostics and enhanced operational resilience.
time set aside for top-up charging throughout a shift. In many instances lead-acid remains the best option. Although IC engine forklifts may still be
preferred for particular applications, hydrogen fuel options may soon be seen more widely in use, as buyers move away from carbon-based fuels such as diesel and LPG. A trend that may well gather pace in 2026.
4. DRIVE FOR FLEXIBILITY AND AGILITY WILL BOOST MIXED FLEETS Increasingly, organisations are uncertain about the future demands on the business and what changes may be required within promotional activity, resulting in sharper peaks? Or could there be longer, extended peak periods, with a greater number of radically expand? And how might new, spontaneous marketing initiatives impact operational processes? There are many unknowns ahead for businesses in 2026. So, if companies are
to minimise risk and respond quickly to change, greater operational agility will be required to provide the responsiveness that customers expect, and the resilience logistics practitioners are looking for.
be core attributes required of the materials models will become less attractive, as options, enabling them to scale up or down quickly without locking up capital. Suppliers of materials handling equipment capable of supporting responsiveness and agility through play an important role for businesses in 2026.
5. ENHANCING ‘PEOPLE POWER’ People are at the heart of every successful business and this is particularly true in the warehousing and logistics sector. Motivated, well-trained and skilled individuals are more likely to be more productive and engaged, resulting in higher performance, safer working conditions and higher levels of staff retention.
7. MANAGING COMPLEXITY, KEY TO GREATER PRODUCTIVITY going into 2026, there will be even louder calls for higher levels of performance and operational resilience within the warehouse. This will require coordinated action, and quite likely, expert help. Specialist material handling service and
support businesses, such as Rushlift, work length of the contract to maximise the overall recommending the most appropriate trucks for the duties to be performed, and that means providing the best truck for the job, whatever the make, to providing full, regular servicing, fast breakdown call-out, and on-site meetings the usage of individual trucks Rushlift experts can make recommendations that may save performance and reliability, maximising asset
Rushlift
www.rushlift.co.uk FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | NOVEMBER 2025 17
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