Mansfields, a UK premium fruit specialist and part of the greosn group, has invested in a new material handling fleet comprising 15 Hyster forklift trucks and six power pallet trucks as it continues to strengthen its warehouse and packhouse operations. The investment is aimed at improving safety, operational efficiency and the use of available warehouse space. The new equipment also provides Mansfields with additional capacity and flexibility as the company continues its development within the fruit sector following its integration into the greosn group in October 2025.
Safety was a key consideration in selecting the new fleet. The Hyster forklift trucks include pedestrian awareness technology that can detect pedestrians up to five metres away across a 110-degree field of view and alert operators to their presence. Improved mirrors provide greater visibility and situational awareness when manoeuvring around the site.
The six new power pallet trucks are designed to provide greater flexibility, particularly in areas where operating space is restricted. The A2 ride-on trucks can be converted into A1 multifunctional trucks, allowing teams to adapt the equipment to different operational requirements.
The trucks also feature keypad access instead of conventional keys, improving security and reducing the possibility of keys being left in vehicles. Power steering is designed to make handling easier, while an automatic slow-down function provides additional support for safer operation. Protective arms can be raised or lowered depending on how the trucks are being used. The new fleet is also expected to help Mansfields make better use of its existing warehouse capacity. Different mast heights provide greater flexibility in vertical storage, allowing the company to use available space more efficiently.
Geoff Buckenham, MHE Officer at Mansfields, said: “We wanted a fleet that would give us the performance and flexibility we need, but safety was equally important. “From pedestrian awareness and improved visibility to automatic slow-down technology and greater manoeuvrability, the equipment has been selected with our people and working environment firmly in mind.
“The new fleet also enables us to make better use of the space we already have. The different mast heights give us the ability to maximise our vertical storage capacity, while the flexibility of the power pallet trucks will support our teams across different areas of the operation.”
The investment forms part of greosn’s wider programme of investment in infrastructure, technology, equipment and people. Across the group, capital is directed towards packhouses, storage and transport infrastructure, farms, growing sites and operational technology to improve efficiency, capacity, quality and supply continuity. For Mansfields, the new handling equipment is intended to support day-to-day operations while providing additional capacity for future growth.
James Miller, Managing Director at Mansfields, said: “This investment is an important step forward for Mansfields and will make a real difference to how we operate every day. “Investing in the right equipment and technology is fundamental to maintaining the high standards we set ourselves. This new fleet will help us operate more safely and efficiently, make better use of our existing facilities and give our teams the equipment they need to do their jobs effectively.”
