The FLTA – of which we are a member – has teamed up with the British Industrial Truck Association to form the new UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA). They are joined by their co-owned subsidiary, Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS); the accrediting body introduced to deliver the first national procedure for Thorough Examination. This is a really positive move, with the purpose of the UKMHA being to represent all the interests of our wide-ranging industry and to ensure it has a single, authoritative voice.

Initially, the UKMHA will act as an umbrella organisation, under which the two founding associations will continue with their work but with greater collaboration than before. The full merger of the two brands will be completed later on. The merger is intended to strengthen the offering of the combined organisations, enhancing the services delivered to members and all those who own and operate forklift trucks.

Tim Waples, UKMHA Chief Executive, said: “Our core values remain as they always have, and we will continue to deliver the same services to our members as before, only this will be under the auspices of the new UK Material Handling Association.

“The intention is that by uniting the roles of FLTA and the BITA under the umbrella of one organisation, the interests of all members will become better aligned, providing the industry with greater clarity, and enabling the new association to speak with one voice and with greater authority on the key issues affecting both its membership and the wider material handling industry.”

We’re glad to be a member of this forward-thinking association.