The West Midlands-based materials handling firm, Midland Pallet Trucks has posted record sales for March and April. Part of the Midland Bearings Group, Midland Pallet Trucks has remained open during the coronavirus pandemic after being classed as an essential business in a letter from parliament. It has been working around the clock to support other businesses and essential operations around the country and across Europe.

Despite the lockdown which has seen many sectors forced to temporarily suspend operations, essential businesses such as food services and logistics have continued – for many of those, materials handling equipment is vital to safely move goods  and ensure product shipping and staff safety. With thousands of items such as hand pallet trucks, weighing scale trucks and drum loaders held in stock, Midland Pallet Trucks has been able to quickly get its factory workhorses to clients in Europe and into workplaces where they are needed most.

Sales in March were up 22% year-on-year with April also surpassing 2019 figures. To date, March and April have been the best two months in Midland’s 36 years of business.

Managing director Phil Chesworth said, “While we are experiencing record sales in March and April, we are also very conscious that we have an important role to play in keeping other businesses and organisations running smoothly and getting vital supplies out to those who need them most.

“Many of our customers have been impacted in one way or another so it is key that we’re able to continue to get equipment out to them quickly to support their essential work. Our older and more vulnerable staff have been furloughed to ensure they are protected, which means there is an additional strain on the rest of the team but, everyone is rising to the challenge admirably. Many of our larger orders have been from European firms who are slowly getting back up and running. While some suppliers are running low on some stock lines, we have an inventory of more than £12 million of goods so we can continue to comfortably meet demand.”

Last month, both Midland Pallet Trucks and sister company Midland Bearings were called on to help the national fight against COVID-19, with bearings used to produce ventilators for the NHS and pallet trucks used to set up the largest food hub in the country.

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