The UK Material Handling Association has opened a new headquarters in Leicestershire as it looks to strengthen training, safety and technical support across the material handling sector.
The UKMHA officially opened the 8,000 sq ft facility in Kibworth on 8 June 2026, with an Open Day attended by members, partners and industry guests.
The association said the new site marks a major step in its long-term plans to support skills development, improve safety standards and provide a central hub for collaboration.
Rob Fisher, chief executive of UKMHA, said the opening marked “an exciting chapter” for the organisation.
“I am delighted to say that our Open Day was a tremendous success, made all the more special by our members,” he said.
“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 also heard from UKMHA president Andrew Woodward, who said the facility represented more than a new building.
“It is a strategic investment in the future of the material handling sector and in the people who will help shape it,” he said.
He added that the site had been designed as “a centre for learning, collaboration and innovation” to help advance safety standards, support skills development and strengthen industry connections.
The Kibworth headquarters will serve as a base for both UKMHA and Consolidated Fork Truck Services, bringing the organisations closer together operationally.
UKMHA said the Midlands location, with road and rail links, would improve access for members from across the UK.
The building includes modern training suites, workshop and demonstration areas, and dedicated spaces for technical committees, meetings and industry events.
It was designed by Creative Commercial Environments, with the aim of creating a professional and practical environment for training, workshops and networking.
Andrew Hobson, managing director of Creative Commercial Environments, said the project had focused on how people learn and collaborate.
“Our objective was to understand the purpose behind the brief and create a space that supports the way people learn, collaborate and engage,” he said.
“We wanted training environments that feel inspiring rather than clinical, whilst ensuring social spaces encourage meaningful interaction and collaboration.”
UKMHA said the new headquarters would strengthen its ability to support members through accredited training, technical guidance and safety initiatives.
It will also support the expansion of the association’s in-house training provision and future skills work.
Paul Dancer, head of learning and development at UKMHA, said skills development was central to the sector’s future.
“We believe that learning and skills development are just as critical to the future of the sector as the equipment itself,” he said.
“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 also gave members updates on UKMHA initiatives covering safety, training, technical standards and market intelligence.
Matthew Kennedy, technical manager at CFTS, demonstrated a new CFTS app designed to support Thorough Examination engineers and the businesses they serve.
The app aims to improve access to inspection information, record management and operational oversight.
Mr Kennedy said the tool had been developed around the needs of engineers working across multiple sites.
“We are always looking for ways to improve processes for our members whilst maintaining the consistency and quality standards that CFTS is known for,” he said.
“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.”
He said the app would also help businesses managing teams of engineers keep inspection information organised and maintain clearer oversight.
The Open Day programme included a presentation from A-SAFE on the development of protection systems and their role in improving safety in industrial environments.
Jeremy Leonard, managing director of global industry services at Oxford Economics, also gave members an overview of the UK forklift truck market.
His presentation looked at the latest forklift truck forecast, recession risks despite a stronger-than-expected first quarter, and the possible economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
Members also received sector briefings covering distribution, transport services, food, beverages and tobacco, and construction.
The new headquarters was put into use immediately after its opening, with the 2026 National Forklift Safety Day campaign launched at the site the following day.
This year’s campaign focused on technician safety and was supported by UKMHA workplace injury data.
David Goss, technical director of UKMHA, said the figures showed the scale of the challenge facing the sector.
“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,” he said.
“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 said the association’s long-term objective was to reduce 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.”
UKMHA also launched the next phase of its training programme within days of the headquarters opening, with the first in-person courses delivered at the new facility.
The association said the Kibworth site represented a major investment in the future of the material handling industry, strengthening its ability to promote safety, develop skills, support members and encourage innovation.