Welcome to

Acclaim Handling

Your forklift & materials
handling partner

Since its establishment in 1982 as a professional materials handling service provider specialising in servicing, hire, sales, leasing, and training. Acclaim Handling has been a key supplier of forklifts and materials handling equipment, including access platforms and warehouse equipment. ‘Success built on service’ is our primary ethos. After all, so many of our customers return to us for our products and services, due to our continued commitment to delivering an excellent customer experience and unrivalled quality. Acclaim Handling was founded in 1982 by David Woods. He prioritised our customers’ needs in all he did, with an unwavering commitment to provide the highest quality forklift service at an affordable expense. Whether a customer requested a single forklift truck or a fully managed materials handling operation, David was committed to providing exactly what they required at the best price possible.

Acclaim Handling at the Cart Marking ceremony, Guildhall Yard, London

Acclaim has developed from its original headquarters in Purfleet, Essex to become a nationally recognised company with 8 regional service centres and two accredited driver training centres. We have a thriving Driver Training department at Acclaim, with 5 RTITB Accredited Trainers who conduct training all throughout the country, such as Reach Truck, Pallet Stacker & Manual Handling. We’re proud to work with an extensive list of prestigious customers in the UK and Ireland. You can see what that looks like in practice in our case study on how we helped a distribution centre improve warehouse efficiency with a new electric forklift fleet. Above all, David’s legacy of exceptional service, quality, and value continues to guide everything we do. Whatever your requirements are, we can provide expert guidance, comprehensive service, and unrivalled knowledge.

Winner

Forklift Dealer Of The Year

Health & Safety

Awarded ISO 9001 & ISO 45001

Approved Supplier

JOSCAR, SafeContractor, SafePQQ, UKMHA & RTITB Approved

Supporting Apprentices

National Apprenticeship Scheme

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to promoting equal employment opportunities at Acclaim Handling. We take pride in the fact that we operate in an ethical manner. You can rest assured that you’re supporting a company that respects its employees and customers equally. Age, disability, gender, reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation are all treated equally.

1982

The year Acclaim Handling
was founded as a business

8

The number of Acclaim regional
service centers across the UK

10 years

The average time each Acclaim
Engineer has been with us

3500

The number of machines we
look after across the country

92%

The percent of call-outs which
result in a first time fix

Acclaim History Timeline

2026

Acclaim HQ Rebuild Starts

Work begins on a purpose-built, multi-million-pound headquarters on our Purfleet site, replacing Ellisam House after more than four decades. The team moved to a temporary base at Salamons Way, Rainham in March 2026 for around 18 months while the new facility takes shape, designed to grow our operations, speed up service and sales, and host industry-leading training. Our driver training centre remains in Purfleet throughout.

2024

Acclaim Handling Portsmouth

Acclaim Handling proudly launches its eighth site in the UK. The latest addition is positioned in Portsmouth, home to hundreds of our current customers!

2022

Acclaim Handling Celebrates its 40th Anniversary

Acclaim Handling was founded in 1982. Since then, Acclaim has grown from its original headquarters in Purfleet, Essex, to an award-winning national company with eight regional support centres. Here’s to many more years of continued quality service!

2021

Acclaim now ‘Exclusive Distributor’ for STILL UK

Acclaim becomes an ‘Exclusive Distributor’ for STILL UK, a relationship that has continued for almost 40 years

2020

Acclaim Handling Waterlooville

Acquired Euro Trucks (Direct) South Ltd in Horndean near Portsmouth – the original UK importer of the Hyundai Forklift brand, with plans to become the eighth Acclaim depot “Acclaim Handling Portsmouth”

2017

Awarded Forklift Dealer Of The Year

Acclaim Handling proudly wins the prestigious “Dealer of the Year” award from the Fork Lift Truck Association, known in the industry as the Oscars of Forklift trucks.

2016

Passing Of Founder David Woods

Founder and main shareholder of Acclaim Handling Ltd, David Woods passes away at the age of 63 after a short illness

2014

Acclaim Handling Liverpool

Acclaim sets up fully fledged operation in the North-West, on site with longstanding customer, Newsprinters. to better serve existing customers in the area with the seventh Acclaim depot: ‘Acclaim Handling Liverpool’

2013

Offical Hyundai Dealer

Acclaim signs a dealership agreement with Hyundai to become a supplier of the Hyundai materials handling equipment range within the UK.

2011

Acclaim Handling Kent

Acquired WR Nicholls & Sons in Hoo, Rochester, a nationwide specialist in short-term rental of forklift trucks, to become the sixth Acclaim depot: “Acclaim Handling Kent” Which was later relocated to current freehold premises in Lordswood, near Maidstone, Kent.

2011

Acclaim Handling Rugby & Liftruck

Acquired entire business and property assets of Castle Forklifts based in Rugby, Warwickshire, to become the fifth Acclaim depot: ‘Acclaim Handling Rugby’. This acquisition also included all assets and intellectual property relating to one of the most well-renowned web-based specialists in supply of materials handling ancillary equipment, www.liftruck.co.uk

2007

Acclaim Handling Norwich

Acquired Apollo BMH in Woodbastwick, Norfolk from legendary iconic personality and Founder of Lancer Boss, Sir Neville Bowman-Shaw. To become the third Acclaim depot: ‘Acclaim Handling Norwich’. Which was later relocated to current freehold premises Rackheath, Norwich.

2006

Acclaim Handling Spalding

Acquired entire business and property assets of D+R Forklift in Spalding, Lincolnshire, to become the second Acclaim depot: ‘Acclaim Handling Spalding’

2004

Accstor Founded

‘Acclaim Logistics’ was founded in Purfleet, Essex – a warehouse storage business, now this business is known as ‘Accstor’

1998

Purfleed Expanded Further

Purfleet HQ is expanded again, with additional workshop space to house more engineers.

1992

Purfleet Expanded

Purfleet HQ is Expanded with a new “showroom” to showcase a growing fleet of equipment.

1985

Purfleet HQ Constructed

Purfleet Head Office & workshop is constructed from scratch on land recently acquired by David, strategically located right next to the A13 with great transport links, where it still stands today.

1984

First Depot

Acclaim leases part of a shared building with ‘Industrial Batteries Ltd’ based in Barking from Bill Buck. As acclaim grows, Bill decides to close down Industrial Batteries Ltd to become the Engineering Director for Acclaim Handling.

1982

Acclaim brings STILL to the UK

David Woods signed a dealership agreement with STILL becoming the 1st and original dealer of the STILL product in to the UK.

1982

Company Founded

Acclaim Handling was founded by David Woods in Bishops Stortford, from his home. The “Acclaim” name was inspired by a goal to provide a renowned and “acclaimed” level of service support to the industry, as well as a smart tactic to get to the front of the alphabetically organised, Yellow pages.

What Our Customers Say About Us

Testimonials

Mick is very clear with instructions. Also very easy to understand.

Lee Marsden, Alpi UK

Mick knows his subject and delivers the course well.

Tom Slater, DAF

John from Acclaim Handling was clear and methodical in all of his training. Clear and precise in explaining what was expected and how to achieve what was required. Extremely helpful and calm. Well done John.

Ross Tyrrell, Acclaim Handling

Really good course, John the trainer was very knowledgeable on the subject and really got the training course across well. Great 2 weeks, thanks.

Ian Rowlands, Coca-Cola

Mick is a great instructor. Really good course, very enjoyable.

Eddie Nichols, Coca Cola

Instructor was outstanding, patient clear and adjusted to my needs where suited, great instructor, thank you.

Christopher Lavery, Precon Products

Mick was an amazing instructor, made the course really fun, was a perfect balance of having a laugh and being serious. Explained everything really well and made sure to keep asking if we had any questions. Could not have asked for a better instructor.

Sam Ratcliffe, NBC Universal

Mick cannot be faulted for his commitment and knowledge for the course. Very enjoyable.

Graham Poole, Sainsbury's

Excellent Training Service!!! Five Star.

Attila Francisc Kisvardai, Pickfords

Great way to teach me, hats off to Mick. Thank you, I know it was not easy to teach me.

Craig Wenman, Pickfords

Had 8 days with Mick, he is a top man and a credit to your company. Nothing too difficult and he explained everything in a calm and assuring manner. I would recommend Mick to anyone should they ever ask.

Daniel Long, Pickfords

Fantastic, very informative, great feedback and ideas, executed with great thought and enthusiasm by the trainers, thoroughly enjoyed the course.

Usaamah Hassan, Moove Lubricants

All A+

Liam James, Moove Lubricants

Best training I’ve had in 24 years of driving forklifts.

Alan Wilkinson, Rule 13

This has been the best course training course I have been on in my 2 1/2 years at Moove.

George Jones, Moove Lubricants

Very polite and patient trainer. I enjoyed the course which covered everything I need to know.

Piotr Szadkowski, Norma

Health, safety & compliance is crucial to our operations and pivotal to our MHE needs. Acclaim understands our business and delivers accordingly

Mark Lewis, Turnround & Operational Compliance Manager, BBC Studioworks

I would like to thank you for your efforts and attention to detail when processing our purchase. Your service to us alone is what won you the business against the other 5 companies I approached. Not one other company offered to survey our building and I doubt they would have kept me updated like you have. I will certainly be recommending you and your company to any companies we deal with who may require your services.

Matthew Orr, Company Directive Manager, Spire Removals

We were looking for a flexible material handling provider and Acclaim offered us a comprehensive hire, service & maintenance package along with product solutions that are perfectly tailored to our requirements

Sean Banks, Head of UK Operations at FläktGroup

Menzies Aviation were looking for a supplier to replace their forklift fleet who could offer the equipment and additional solutions required, at the right price and with a high level of customer service and commitment.

Mick Ladd, GM Operations, Menzies Aviation

We were looking for a one-stop-shop and Acclaim provided us with a bespoke and innovative hire service and maintenance package tailored to our requirements.

Glenn Ewen, Fleet Manager, Clear Channel UK

Materials Handling Equipment

Cleaning & Sweeping Machinery

Platform Trucks & Tractors

Access Equipment

Brands

Welcome to

Acclaim Handling