Mike Barton was recently honoured by the UK Materials Handling Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Archies Awards. He is also the managing director of forklift attachment supplier B&B Attachments.

FLA: What would you say has been your biggest professional achievement to date?

MB: I would say it would be the time that I’ve spent with B&B Attachments (B&B). Having joined B&B as its first employee together with the previous owners George and Irene Bell back in July 1981, I have witnessed the growth of the business. I’m amazed at how far we’ve come and what the business has achieved.

FLA: What excites you most about the materials handling industry?

MB: Every day is different; every phone call or email may be a new material handling query. Finding the perfect solution for the enquiry still feels like an achievement, knowing that we’ve helped a customer. A lot of the time the attachment is available with slight changes, however more often in recent years, an element of design and innovation is required to create the ideal attachment specification to meet the requirement.

FLA: What is the most significant change you have seen in the industry in your time?

MB: The main change I have seen is the increase in the variety of attachments that are now available for use. When I started out side-shifts and single pallet handlers were the most popular options, now there are literally thousands of handling options. 

FLA: What are the biggest challenges and opportunities that you see facing the materials handling sector? 

MB: Certainly, a change to the industry is the use of electric driven forklifts and attachments as an alternative to hydraulic. The current capacities for attachments are confined to the electric actuators, however I can see this improving as trucks and attachments alike strive to become greener. The introduction of new manufacturing machinery and advances in technology will see even smarter attachments. The use of live data monitoring such as weight and height-sensing devices, pressor sensors for clamping force, can now monitor day-to-day service and performance outcomes and help to reduce downtime.

FLA: Can you share one piece of information about yourself which would surprise our readers?

MB: Not so much of a surprise is my absolute passion for all things material handling. It’s been my whole working life, and I could not have spent it in a better way!