This year, supply chains were put under more pressure than ever before. Materials handling equipment was vital in getting the right goods to the right place at the right time. To achieve that, FLTA members were called upon to move mountains, often in the most demanding circumstances.
Chief Executive at FLTA
To support the industry, the FLTA itself stepped up its activities providing those working within materials handling with the concise, authoritative and up-to-the-minute information necessary to guide them through the evolving pandemic.
To disseminate this guidance, we launched the FLTA COVID-19 Resource Centre containing expert materials and step-by-step practical advice on everything from truck cleaning and COVID-secure procedures to documents and helpline support on HR and furlough issues.
The information proved extremely useful for many, and we will continue to update the Resource Centre.
The Association also went one step further, launching Access All Areas, an initiative giving owners and operators of forklifts access to certain resources previously available only to our members.
As the UK’s foremost authority on lift truck operations, we believed it was our responsibility to support the wider economy in a time of great need.
Most important of all, we worked with our grass-roots membership to ensure they had the knowledge and resources needed to support their customers, and deliver the service and inspections required to keep the materials handling sector moving.
In previous years we have hosted our annual National Forklift Safety Convention, but this was obviously not possible this year. However, as safety is at the heart of the FLTA, we decided to launch a new initiative – FLTA Safety Drive 2020 – as a means of communicating important safety topics digitally.
From the start of October, the FLTA shared weekly bulletins containing insight and advice on key areas for safer operation, from training and battery maintenance, to lighting and pedestrian segregation. The campaign proved highly successful with positive feedback from our members, and we are grateful to the many companies who got involved to sponsor the FLTA Safety Drive. The materials are still available on our website and we encourage all owners and users of lift trucks to check them out.
As we move into 2021, the FLTA is working on the proposed merger with BITA and CFTS to form the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA). Initially, UKMHA will act as an umbrella organisation with plans to merge the individual brands at a later date. The merger is designed to strengthen the offerings of our organisations, enhancing the services we deliver to our members and all those who own and operate forklift trucks. More information on the merger will be available over the coming months.
Whatever the future holds, it is important that our industry continues to work together. Teamwork, cooperation and sharing expert knowledge will keep the industry and Britain moving forward.
FLTA
01635 277577
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