Who is Acclaim Handling?

If you work in the materials handling industry or have been involved in the process of researching and buying some new equipment, chances are you’ve come across the name Acclaim Handling before. But who are we, and what is it we do?

Since 1982, we have been at the heart of all things materials handling, keeping businesses moving safely and efficiently for more than four decades! Founded by David Woods in Bishops Stortford, Acclaim was inspired by a vision to deliver an ‘acclaimed’ level of customer service! What actually started as a small family-run operation has since transformed and evolved into a trusted, nationwide supplier of forklifts, warehousing equipment and training solutions. 

The beating heart of the business is our headquarters at Purfleet in Essex. Supported by eight regional depots across the United Kingdom, we are here to ensure that our customers receive fast, local service no matter where they are based nationally. 

Our Journey Through The Years

With over four decades of existing, it’s no surprise we have a strong history and timeline of events to reflect back on, and see how one man’s vision has grown to turn into one of the UK’s leading material handling specialists. 

• 1982 – The company was founded by David Woods back in Bishops Stortford, becoming the first UK dealer of the STILL forklift trucks. 
• 1984 – Acclaim’s first depot was opened in Barking, where we shared a space with Industrial Batteries Ltd. 
• 1985 – The Head Office in Purfleet was constructed from scratch, and it remains standing today. 
• 1992-1998 – Purfleet has now expanded two times to accommodate a growing team, showroom and workshop. 
• 2004 – ‘Acclaim Logistics’ was founded as a warehouse storage business, which is now known as ‘Accstor’.
• 2006 – D+R Forklift was acquired, which shortly after formed Acclaim Handling Spalding. 
• 2007 – Apollo BMH was acquired, then became Acclaim Handling Norwich, which eventually relocated to Rackheath in Norfolk.
• 2011 – Castle Forklifts was acquired, which established Acclaim Handling Rugby. Along with this, also gaining sister company, Liftruck – one of the UK’s leading web-based suppliers of materials handling accessories and Manual Handling solutions.
• 2011 – Later in the year, WE Nicholls & Sons was acquired, which formed Acclaim Handling Kent.
• 2013 – Agreement was signed as a dealership with Hyundai to offer their full range of forklift trucks. 
• 2014 – Acclaim Handling Liverpool was launched as a plan to serve the North West of England! 
• 2016 – Sadly, the founder of Acclaim, David Woods, passed away, leaving a lasting legacy of quality and service. 
• 2017 – Became the winners of the Forklift Dealer of the Year award from the UKMHA (formerly known as FLTA). 
• 2020 – Euro Trucks Direct acquired, to begin plans for Acclaim Handling Portsmouth. 
• 2021 – Acclaim becomes an exclusive distributor for STILL UK.
• 2022 – Celebration of 40 years in business! 
• 2024 – Acclaim Handling Portsmouth officially launched, becoming the eighth company depot. 

What We Do

Acclaim Handling offers an entire suite of materials handling solutions. This includes new and used forklift sales, supplying brands such as Hyundai, Lonking and STILL. It also includes short and long term hire, providing flexible forklift hire services and other warehouse equipment hire options to suit every business’s needs. On top of this, we also offer servicing and maintenance packages, with our national network of mobile engineers and parts support, providing fast and reliable repairs. Finally, at Acclaim Handling, we offer operator and instructor training, all RTITB accredited to get you and your business employees up to standards on forklifts and equipment. 

Our Sister Company: Liftruck

As we mentioned before, a big part of the Acclaim Handling group is Liftruck! They are a dedicated online store for manual handling solutions for all of your warehouse essentials and accessories. From pallet trucks and safety equipment, to forklift attachments, Liftruck provides quick and easy access to hundreds and thousands of high-quality products.

Today, Acclaim Handling stands as a leading UK forklift and materials handling provider, known for our customer-first approach, technical expertise and commitment to continued proven safety. It’s easy to see why businesses choose Acclaim Handling as their trusted partner for all materials handling solutions. As we continue to grow as a brand and a business, our focus remains the same – to deliver reliable, sustainable and innovative solutions which help businesses handle their operations with nothing but confidence.