Simon Gribble has been named as the new technical manager for Central Region with the UKMHA’s CFTS, the United Kingdom’s body responsible for the national standard for the Thorough Examination of lift trucks. With more than 40 years’ experience in materials handling, Gribble has seen a lot of change.

FLA: Prior to this appointment, what has been your biggest achievement?

SG: My biggest achievement, without a doubt, has been raising four wonderful children. Watching them grow into their own lives, building families, and creating memories of their own has been incredible. Now we have six adorable grandchildren who bring us so much joy. Seeing our family continue to grow fills me with pride, and it’s truly one of the greatest rewards in life.

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

SG: No two days are ever the same. It’s an industry where you're constantly learning — there's always something new to discover or a fresh skill to master. The day I stop learning is the day I know it’s time to hang up my boots. Even after all these years, the thrill of diagnosing and fixing a fault still brings a sense of satisfaction that never gets old.

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

SG: Without a doubt it has to be the incredible advancements in technology. Over the years, the vast leaps we’ve seen in control systems and diagnostic equipment have been nothing short of remarkable. What used to be manual or time-consuming processes are now handled by highly sophisticated tools. Everything has become more efficient and precise. It’s amazing to witness how far we’ve come, and it’s exciting to think about what’s next.

FLA: What are the biggest challenge and opportunity you see in your new role?

SG: I’m really looking forward to the challenge of meeting new people every day in this new role. Working for CFTS, who set the industry standard for Thorough Examination, feels like the pinnacle of my career — something I’m incredibly proud of. It seems like just yesterday I was at college, and now here I am, 42 years later, still finding joy in what I do. Time certainly flies when you’re having fun!

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

SG: Believe it or not, I ended up in this industry completely by accident. I was actually training to be an installation electrician when I was made redundant. I found myself at a bit of a crossroads. A college mate of mine happened to be working at Barlow Handling, so I applied for a job in the stores. And while it started with the stores, before I knew it, I was deep into the engineering side of things. Ever since then, I feel like I’ve always had a spanner in my hand — and I wouldn’t have it any other way!