New UKMHA HQ set to drive skills, safety and innovation across the material handling sector

On 8 June 2026, the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) officially opened the doors to its new headquarters in Kibworth, Leicestershire, with a special open day to welcome guests. The event marked a significant milestone for the association, bringing together members, partners and many of those who have supported UKMHA’s growth and development over the years.

Rob Fisher, CEO of UKMHA, said: “The opening of our new headquarters marks an exciting chapter for UKMHA. Our open day was a tremendous success, made all the more special by our members. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the occasion, and to those whose hard work and commitment helped turn this vision into reality.”

Guests heard about UKMHA’s ambitions for the new facility during a welcome address from the association’s President Andrew Woodward, who commented: “This facility represents far more than just a new building. It’s a strategic investment in the future of the material handling sector and in the people who will help shape it.”

He added: “It’s been designed as a centre for learning, collaboration and innovation that will help advance safety standards, support skills development and strengthen connections across our industry.”

The investment reflects UKMHA’s long-term commitment to raising standards, supporting workforce development and improving safety across the UK’s material handling sector.

The new 8,000 sq ft Kibworth HQ has been developed as a central hub for training, collaboration and technical excellence within the material handling industry. Located in the Midlands with excellent road and rail connections, the facility provides improved accessibility for members from across the UK. The building will serve as the headquarters for both UKMHA and Consolidated Fork Truck Services (CFTS), bringing the organisations closer together operationally while continuing to support members nationwide through regional events and on-site assessments.

Notably, the site features modern training suites, workshop and demonstration areas, together with dedicated spaces for technical committees, meetings and industry events. Designed by Creative Commercial Environments with members in mind, the facility offers a welcoming and professional environment for meetings, workshops and networking opportunities.

Andrew Hobson, Managing Director of Creative Commercial Environments (CCE), said: “We were delighted to be selected for the Kibworth project. Our objective was to understand the purpose behind the brief and create a space that supports the way people learn, collaborate and engage. We wanted training environments that feel inspiring rather than clinical, whilst ensuring social spaces encourage meaningful interaction and collaboration.”

The HQ will strengthen UKMHA’s ability to support members through accredited training, technical guidance and safety initiatives. It will also support the continued expansion of the association’s in-house training provision and its investment in future skills development.

“We believe that learning and skills development are just as critical to the future of the sector as the equipment itself,” remarked Paul Dancer, Head of Learning and Development at UKMHA. “The opening of our new facility gives us the capability to deliver high-quality training in an environment specifically designed to support professional development.”

The open day was designed not only to showcase the new facility, but also to provide members with updates on key UKMHA initiatives spanning safety, training, technical standards and market intelligence.

Matthew Kennedy, Technical Manager at CFTS, demonstrated the new CFTS app, developed to support ‘Thorough Examination’ engineers and the businesses they serve through improved access to inspection information, record management and operational oversight. He stated: “We’re always looking for ways to improve processes for our members while maintaining the consistency and quality standards that CFTS is known for. The app has been designed around the practical needs of Thorough Examination engineers, enabling them to access information quickly, manage records efficiently and work more effectively across multiple sites. For businesses managing teams of engineers, it also provides a clearer way to maintain oversight and keep inspection information organised.”

Guests also heard from Richard Elphee, Sales Director, and Tasha Coleman, Area Sales Manager at A-SAFE, who explored the evolution of protection systems and their role in improving safety across industrial environments.

Jeremy Leonard, Managing Director of Global Industry Services at Oxford Economics, provided an exclusive overview of the UK forklift truck market, using analysis produced specifically for UKMHA. His presentation examined the latest forklift truck forecast, recession risks despite a stronger-than-expected first quarter, and the potential economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The session also included industry briefings covering distribution, transport services, food, beverages and tobacco, and construction, offering members valuable insight into the sectors that drive demand for material handling equipment.

The facility was immediately put into action following its opening. The next day saw the launch of the 2026 National Forklift Safety Day (NFSD) campaign, which brought together industry resources and activities aimed at improving safety awareness across the sector.

This year’s campaign focused on technician safety and was underpinned by UKMHA workplace injury data, which highlighted several key safety concerns.

David Goss, Technical Director of UKMHA, revealed: “Our data from 2019 to 2025 shows that UK forklift suppliers lost more than 1,000 working days every year as a result of workplace injuries. What’s particularly striking is that nearly 30% of those incidents occurred when people were not working directly on the equipment, demonstrating that safety risks extend well beyond forklift operation itself.”

He continued: “Our long-term objective is to reduce the number of accidents and incidents involving material handling equipment. Our new centre will play a crucial role in helping us achieve that goal by providing the space, resources and accessibility needed to train more people and reach more businesses.”

In addition to NFSD, within days of the new HQ opening, the next phase of UKMHA’s training programme was launched, with the first in-person courses successfully delivered at the new facility.

The Kibworth facility represents a major investment in the future of the material handling industry, strengthening UKMHA’s ability to champion safety, develop skills, support members and drive innovation for years to come.