This week's warning about the vulnerability of smaller UK forklift players is a reminder of the differences in the pace of recovery in different markets. Coming on top of broader warnings about further tough times ahead in Europe, the Plimsoll report does not paint a rosy picture for smaller operators which have to deal with flagging sales, shrinking financial reserves and limited access to further capital. Of course, the woes of this sector make many of the businesses, especially those with unique offerings, vulnerable to take-over. But they also spell opportunities for end-users, with prices depressed and value-adding widespread. The one danger, of course, is doing business with companies that may not have a steady future - so if a deal is too good to be true, it's probably not.