UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / August 26, 2026 / The age of Britain's warehouse stock is putting renewed attention on the condition of the equipment operating inside it, with industry figures showing that 82% of UK warehouses were built before 2000.

The figure, highlighted by Maersk in its analysis of the UK's ageing warehouse stock, illustrates the scale of the challenge facing operators working from older premises.

Many of these buildings were designed for a very different style of logistics, long before today's demands for faster movement, higher throughput and greater operational efficiency.

Building upgrades are already a priority for many operators, particularly as older facilities can fall short of modern energy efficiency and environmental expectations. But attention cannot stop at the building itself.

The equipment inside an ageing warehouse can have just as much bearing on day-to-day safety and efficiency. Pallet trucks, stackers, table trucks and other manual handling equipment are often used repeatedly throughout a shift - yet their condition and suitability can easily receive less attention than racking, doors, lighting or the fabric of the building.

A building-related compliance review therefore presents a useful opportunity to look at handling equipment at the same time. That does not necessarily mean replacing everything: it means checking whether equipment is still fit for purpose, whether it is being maintained properly and whether staff are using the right equipment for the loads and tasks involved.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director of Pallet Truck Shop, said older buildings make it particularly important for operators to look at the whole working environment rather than treating individual issues separately.

“If a warehouse is being reviewed because the building needs work, it makes sense to look at what is happening inside it as well. The equipment may have been there for years, and it can be easy to assume that because something still works, it is still the right choice.

“A proper equipment check does not have to mean a major spending exercise. Sometimes it will confirm that everything is fine. In other cases, it can highlight worn equipment, unsuitable trucks or a simple change that would make a job safer and easier.”

To find out more about Pallet Truck Shop, visit: www.pallettruckshop.co.uk.