Based in Bury, Abbey has built a strong reputation since 1984 as one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of used forklift rental attachments
Abbey has entered a new partnership with Durwen Forklift Attachments, becoming the UK supplier for Durwen’s range. This marks an important step in Abbey’s continued expansion within the material handling industry.
Based in Bury, Abbey has built a strong reputation since 1984 as one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of used forklift rental attachments. Over time, the business has expanded beyond attachments, introducing solutions such as AI pedestrian detection systems, forklift safety cameras and hydraulic weighing technology.
As Abbey continues to grow, the business has focused on making their solutions more accessible to customers. The recent launch of a new website reflects that direction, providing a clearer way to explore the full range of equipment, services and expertise available across the business.
In 2025, Abbey took another significant step by beginning to stock new forklift attachments for the first time, broadening their offering beyond their established rental fleet.
This is where the seeds of the Durwen partnership began to grow.
Durwen were looking to boost their presence in the UK. Based on Abbey’s reputation and established customer base, they got in touch with a proposal for us to become their UK supplier for their growing range of forklift attachments.
Paul Saunders, our managing director, commented:
“I have known Ralf (Durwen’s Export Director) for over 20 years and have greatly admired Durwen for both the quality of their attachments and the exceptional service they offer. When we realised there was an opportunity to partner with Durwen and become their distributor in the UK, we jumped at the chance.
Thanks to the support from the entire team at Durwen, and the enthusiasm of my colleagues, we have a strong foundation to grow our market position and provide solutions that help our customers.”
Founded in 1947 by Niko Durwen, Durwen has manufactured forklift attachments from its site in Plaidt, Germany for decades. The company has become well known throughout the material handling sector for their commitment to reliability, durability and customer support.
Ralf Taubenheim says:
“We at Durwen Germany look forward to working closely with Abbey. They will be strong partner whose service and support, combined with the Durwen attachment range, will create a high-quality offering for the UK market.
As family-run businesses, both Durwen and Abbey share the same focus on customer needs and a practical approach to solving problems. This shared mindset will give customers confidence in the support and solutions they receive.”
With shared values, complementary strengths and a clear focus on delivering high-quality solutions, this partnership positions both businesses for continued growth.