One of the UK’s leading premium material handling equipment providers, Impact Handling, an Aprolis UK company, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in business.
Impact Handling’s journey began in 1985, growing from a regional supplier in the Northeast into one of the UK’s leading providers of premium material handling equipment and service solutions.
While the company expanded steadily through the 1990s and 2000s, the adoption of a bold new strategy in the form of combining organic expansion with targeted acquisitions enabled Impact to move up a gear, allowing it to diversify its customer base while also strengthening its position as a leading national provider of premium material handling solutions – reaching a pivotal milestone in 2009 when it was acquired by Aprolis Group, the material handling division of Monnoyeur, a global, family-owned group headquartered in France.
Monnoyeur, which operates out of 23 countries, is a major international player in the distribution of capital goods across the construction, industrial, energy, and agricultural sectors, employing over 9,000 people and generating annual revenues exceeding €3.4 billion.
This strong backing has enabled Impact to continue to grow and evolve as part of the expanding Aprolis Group, which is growing through the addition of specialist divisions and enhanced capabilities, while remaining firmly rooted in its customer-first ethos.
Alongside celebrating its four decades in business, Impact Handling is also marking 15 successful years as the exclusive distributor of Cat® Lift Trucks for the UK – a partnership that has been instrumental in driving its continued success since 2010.
With a similar long-standing association with the Caterpillar brand, which spans six decades, Aprolis Group brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to excellence, innovation and customer service to the Impact business.
Impact’s partnership with Cat Lift Trucks 15 years ago marked a pivotal moment in its history and has been fundamental to its rise over the years. Not only has the company helped support Cat Lift Trucks’ growth in the UK, but together they have taken Impact’s business to the next level, enabling it to offer a market-leading range of products to customers nationwide.
To further strengthen the Cat Lift Trucks range of premium material handling equipment, Impact has partnered with other leading OEMs to expand its offering to customers by providing them with a broader selection of high-quality material handling solutions. In doing so, it has become a one-stop-shop for material handling solutions to ensure customers benefit from equipment for every application compatible in a wide range of settings.
Steve Shakespeare, CEO at Aprolis UK commented:
“In many ways our 40th anniversary along with our 15th year working in partnership with Cat Lift Trucks as the company’s sole distributor for the UK is inextricably linked. Cat Lift Trucks has given us a platform to grow and expand beyond perhaps what was initially deemed possible, opening the door to a breadth of exciting opportunities, while helping customers access a premium range of forklift trucks and material handling equipment.
“The partnership has also played a significant role in the business since being acquired by our parent company Aprolis Group – who themselves have been associated with Cat Lift Trucks for longer than we’ve been in existence. By aligning with such a globally respected brand with similar synergies and values, we've been able to unlock a completely new dimension of growth.
“Our success over the years can also be largely attributed to those that have worked within the business. With a strong track record of developing our own people we’re proud to be building a company that people actively want to join – and crucially, want to grow with. We recognise that the world of work is changing. Career paths aren’t always linear, and we embrace that. Whether someone progresses traditionally within their role or moves across different disciplines within the business, we support their journey. In fact, many of our senior managers – right up to board level – began their careers as apprentices. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of and it’s integral to how we will continue building our business for the future.”
With a management team renowned for its practical, customer-first approach, Impact has remained agile and responsive to an ever-changing marketplace. Under the leadership of Steve Shakespeare, who took the reins in 2022, and building on the legacy of his predecessor, Impact continues to focus on sustainable, strategic growth while ensuring customer service remains at the heart of everything it does.
Priding itself on its customer-centric offering, the company has consistently looked to specify and customise equipment to exactly fit the needs of its customers over the decades.
This is highlighted in its commitment to supporting its customers on their sustainability journeys. With the UK lift truck market shifting steadily towards electrification, Impact has positioned itself at the forefront of this transition, offering one of the largest and most diverse ranges of electric forklift trucks in the country.
From supplying compact models under one tonne to heavy-duty equipment capable of handling up to 52 tonnes, Impact ensures customers have access to greener, energy-efficient alternatives without compromising on performance.
Steve continued:
“Our ability to truly listen to our customers and adapt our solutions to suit their unique needs has been a key driver in our continued success and longevity in the industry. Whether it be delivering highly customised equipment, supporting sustainability targets with electric vehicle options, or helping improve on-site safety, we see ourselves as a long-term partner – not just a supplier.
“Customer satisfaction isn’t just a number or score on a survey. It is how you make your customers feel through your attitude and your approach. That’s the culture we’ve built, and it’s one which mirrors that of Aprolis and flows through every business which comes under its umbrella.
“With the continued support of Cat Lift Trucks and the weight of the Aprolis Group and the Monnoyeur family behind us, we feel well placed to embrace the next chapter of growth and innovation and not only continue to be a leading voice in material handling but also remain a crucial partner for existing and new customers in the years to come.”
