We can only hope that the materials handling sector learned something from the last financial challenge because it looks like the months ahead may be anything but plain sailing. This week, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned of tough times in the UK, with the outlook for activity deteriorating for a seventh straight month. And the UK was not alone, with the other six members of the G7 group of industrial nations - the US, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy and France - all experiencing slowdowns. But, at least we've been through this before - and not too long ago. And many businesses came out of it leaner, keener and more nimble, which should help them now. As the saying goes, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going".