The UK forklift industry is on the road to recovery but more jobs will be lost along the way, according to the latest research by Plimsoll.

David Pattison, author of the 2010 Plimsoll Analysis, says the global recession has forced "growth at all cost" business operators to abandon their reckless strategies and many are now in trouble.

His analysis predicts that 1,000 jobs will be shed for companies to return to profitability and remain competitive in 2010. "With the average sales per employee figure down to GBP160,000 (USD258,539), employees need to contribute more to the recovery of their companies - if you still have a job, expect to work harder in 2010."

"[About] GBP344 million (USD555.9 million) of profit has been wiped from the market in the last year and employers have no choice but to cut their cloth accordingly and get more from their resources," Pattison adds.

The study names 76 UK forklift companies that are ripe for a takeover or merger.

"For many struggling companies, a buy-out may be the quickest route to get the company back on an even keel. Inevitably, this will further increase job losses as new owners would quickly look for efficiency gains and [synergies]," Pattison says.

Forkliftaction.com News readers who quote reference PR/SD33 can get a GBP50 (USD80.80) discount on the 2010 Plimsoll Analysis. Call +44 1642 626 400 for details.