After a yr outlined by delayed funding choices, rising prices and fragile confidence, the UK forklift truck market is transferring via a interval of adjustment slightly than retreat, a brand new monetary report reveals.
The newest UK Forklift Truck Market Outlook, compiled for the UK Materials Dealing with Affiliation (UKMHA) by Oxford Economics, exhibits that price pressures and financial uncertainty have influenced funding choices all through 2025, with many corporations delaying fleet renewals or choosing shorter-term leasing.
Nonetheless, the report means that 2026 will mark the start of a gradual return to improved situations, supported by easing inflation and extra beneficial financing. Forklift truck orders are forecast to develop once more as confidence strengthens, with additional regular enlargement anticipated via 2027. Analysts level to this as a transition right into a extra steady, sustainable alternative cycle slightly than a return to pandemic-era peaks.
UKMHA CEO Rob Fisher stated: “The yr has required resilience, however we’re inspired by the projected upturn from 2026 onwards. The basics of our trade stay robust, and when companies really feel extra assured, we count on funding to return.”
The UKMHA’s trade survey confirmed that whereas some corporations reported improved order books, confidence remained fragile. Nonetheless, Affiliation members present growing ranges of optimism for the return of modest gross sales progress, aligning with the predictions of financial forecasters.
The report means that 2026 will mark the start of a gradual return to progress, pushed by easing inflationary pressures and a loosening of financial coverage situations. With financing anticipated to turn out to be extra inexpensive and provide chain uncertainty beginning to settle, complete forklift truck orders are forecast to get well by 9.4% in 2026. This uplift is ready to be broad-based, with counterbalance truck orders projected to rise by 8.2%, supported by regular enchancment in industrial manufacturing.
Within the warehouse section, truck orders are forecast to rebound sharply by 10.1% in 2026, following an unexpectedly weak efficiency in 2025 linked to softened on-line retail and shopper spending tendencies. Gross sales of pedestrian managed warehouse vehicles (Class 3), which had been close to to document highs in 2024, are projected to fall sharply throughout 2025 after which get well modestly in 2026.
Seeking to 2027, the info factors in direction of continued progress, albeit at a slower and steadier fee, with counterbalance orders forecast to rise by an extra 6.5% and warehouse orders by a modest 1.9% because the market settles right into a extra normalised sample of funding and operational planning.
Rob Fisher added that new entrants to the UK market exhibit the continued perception within the long-term energy of supplies dealing with, making the following version of the IMHX logistics options present in September 2027 all of the extra enticing.
“Transition shouldn’t be misinterpret as decline,” Rob stated. “It’s preparation. Our trade has proven repeatedly that it emerges stronger, and we consider it should achieve this once more.”
“They recognise the UK as a market value investing in,” added Rob. “That gives wholesome competitors, but additionally contemporary collaboration alternatives. For established suppliers and newer gamers alike, IMHX 2027 might be a significant milestone, and we’d encourage organisations to begin planning in early 2026 to make sure they’re able to showcase their capabilities.
