The business listens when Chancellor Rachel Reeves steps up to the podium. Her Autumn budget impacted business confidence and we’re seeing the impact of the NIC hikes as companies review jobs ahead of impending tax changes.
Her first budget pledged major investment in construction, always welcome when there is a drive for growth, as it promotes jobs and economic activity. At Grant Handling we are eager to listen to Reeves’ announcement on infrastructure investment as many of our customers operate in the construction sector with two or three HELI Fork Lift trucks so we are keen to find out how our customers could be positively impacted.
Here’s our thoughts on the new infrastructure projects on our customers in the construction sector:
The Heathrow Expansion: The government is backing plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport which could create 100,000 jobs. The project itself will require vast amounts of materials, creating opportunities for SMEs which store and handle aggregates, top soil, clay, concrete, glass, aluminium – the list goes on.
Prologis and Manchester Airport Group Logistics Park: A new advanced manufacturing and logistics park is set to be built, resulting in £1bn of investment and 2,000 jobs. As well as materials such as concrete and aggregate, warehouses require structural steel, metal cladding & roofing sheets. If these are the items you sell, store and handle on an industrial unit near Manchester, there may be an opportunity to benefit from this project.
Europe’s ‘Silicon Valley’: A high technology and innovation zone between Oxford and Cambridge which will involve an innovation hub in Cambridge city centre and 4,500 new homes. Building new homes has a huge impact on the construction ecosystem, especially contractors, which rely on builders merchants, electrical wholesalers and plumbing supply centres for materials.
Reeves plans built on Forklift Trucks
What all these projects require, is businesses with reliable forklift trucks which can transport and handle construction materials. Forklift trucks reduce manual handling time, which means moving more heavy goods faster and more efficiently. Our Heli range can support construction businesses in benefiting from these government investments with reliable, affordable, quality products we recommend from the Heli range for these environments.
What forklifts will support construction businesses?
3-Wheel Electric 1.5-2T 24v Forklift: This compact three-wheel electric is ideal for the lifting of light and medium loads on indoor surfaces. It is most suited in areas with narrow aisles or space restricted areas and can lift to 1500 kg at a 500 mm load centre.
4 – Wheel Electric 1.5-3.8T Forklift: The 4-wheel electric offers maximum stability making it ideal for carrying medium to heavy loads with a maximum capacity of 3800 kg at a 500 mm load centre. It is Ideal for use in both indoor and outdoor operations.
Heli Pedestrian Reach Stackers: The 1200/1500 kg pedestrian reach stacker has two maximum lifting capacities of 1200 kg and 1500 kg at a 500 mm load centre. It has a range of maximum lift height options from 2m – 4m and is available in both Lithium-Ion and Lead Acid.
Accessing opportunities
Whilst these government projects will drive incremental business for some businesses, others have the opportunity to tender for contracts. Two useful links for customers in this sector include:
Find a Tender: To search and apply for high value contracts in the UK’s public and utilities sectors.
Contracts Finder: To search for contract opportunities in different sectors worth over 12k, and to find out what’s coming up in the future.
Being fully operational, with modern reliable forklift technology in place when opportunities arise, is critical for business development. Forklifts are a sound investment they can reduce costs and speed up operations. Are you ready to take these opportunities?
It’s time to talk to us today about your forklift truck requirements, our premium value materials handling solutions from Heli will mean you have the infrastructure to win.
