UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / January 16, 2026 / UK warehouses are under growing pressure to modernise - but could it be that they are been pushed too quickly towards automatisation? As investment in robotics and automated systems accelerates across the logistics sector, Midland Pallet Trucks is urging businesses to pause before assuming that full automation is always the right next step - and warns that many low- to mid-volume operations risk over-automating too soon at the expense of flexibility, resilience and return on investment.

Automation has clear benefits in large, highly standardised fulfilment centres, particularly where volumes are predictable and margins allow for long payback periods. However, for many UK warehouses, day-to-day reality looks very different. Fluctuating order profiles, mixed pallet sizes and changing customer demands can quickly expose the limitations of rigid automated systems. In these environments, simple, reliable material handling remains the backbone of efficient operations.

With energy prices, labour costs and borrowing all under pressure, capital-heavy automation projects can tie up budgets for years. When systems fail or require specialist maintenance, downtime can be costly and difficult to resolve quickly. By contrast, well-chosen manual and semi-electric handling equipment - such as pallet trucks, stacker trucks and lift tables - offer immediate productivity gains without locking businesses into complex infrastructure.

Midland Pallet Trucks has seen a growing number of customers reassess automation plans in favour of more balanced approaches. Rather than replacing people entirely, many warehouses are focusing on supporting their teams with equipment that reduces strain, speeds up movement and adapts easily as layouts or volumes change. This approach can be particularly effective for SMEs and regional operators that need to remain agile.

Phil Chesworth, Managing Director at Midland Pallet Trucks, believes the conversation around automation has become too one-sided. “Automation has its place, but it’s not a silver bullet,” he said. “We speak to a lot of businesses that feel pressure to invest in technology before their operation is ready for it. In many cases, improving the basics on the warehouse floor delivers faster, more reliable results and a much clearer return.”

Automation may well be part of the long-term journey, but for many businesses, strengthening core material handling capabilities remains the most effective way to build efficiency, protect margins and stay responsive in a rapidly changing market.

For more information, visit https://www.midlandpallettrucks.com.