Thirty years of hands-on MHE experience — from servicing forklifts on the workshop floor to managing a national fleet of 4,000 machines — now available to your business as independent, vendor-free consultancy.
Consulting
Services
Every service I offer is rooted in real operational experience — not theory. I have specified, procured, managed, and serviced MHE equipment at every level of a business, from a single site to a national fleet of close to 4,000 machines.
A thorough analysis of your forklift and materials handling equipment fleet — utilisation rates, age profile, maintenance spend, and contract terms. I'll tell you plainly whether your fleet is the right size, the right mix, and costing you the right amount.
Specification writing, tender preparation, and supplier evaluation for MHE equipment and service contracts. Having managed national supplier relationships for over a decade, I know where the value is — and where the margin is hidden.
End-to-end review of your LOLER examination schedules, service records, and statutory compliance obligations. I'll identify gaps, help you get compliant, and put processes in place to keep you that way — protecting your people and your business.
Whether you're managing a casual hire portfolio or planning a major uplift in capacity, I can help you control costs, set the right specifications, and ensure equipment arrives on site compliant and ready to work.
Drawing on experience building MHE departments from scratch at Eddie Stobart and Culina Group, I can help you design the right operating model — reporting structures, KPIs, fleet management systems, and supplier frameworks.
Independent review of MHE service contracts, SLA performance, and supplier disputes. I'll give you an objective assessment of where you stand and what levers you have — without the bias of a tied dealership or broker.
30 Years in
MHE — Every Level
I'm Brian Smith, and I've spent my entire working life in the materials handling equipment industry. I started as a field service engineer repairing forklifts across the North West, and by the time I left full-time employment in late 2025, I was running MHE operations nationally for Culina Group — one of the UK's largest logistics businesses — responsible for a fleet of close to 4,000 machines.
In between, I've managed hire fleets, run a service department of 18 engineers, handled key account contracts, and built the MHE function at Eddie Stobart from a single role into a fully resourced department. That breadth of experience — from workshop to boardroom, from a single site to 150+ locations — is what I now bring to clients through Smiths MHS.
Smiths MHS is a new business, but the expertise behind it isn't. If your operation has MHE challenges — whether that's cost, compliance, supplier performance, or simply not knowing where to start — I've almost certainly dealt with the same problem at scale.
- National MHE Operations Manager — Culina Group (2021-2025), fleet of ~4,000 assets
- MHE Manager — Eddie Stobart Ltd (2012-2021), built the MHE department from scratch
- Service Manager — LB Materials Handling (2005-2009), 18 engineers across the UK
- Field Service Engineer to Hire Manager — Fork Truck Warehouse (1992-2002)
Thirty Years.
Zero Vendor Bias.
I've been on both sides of every MHE decision you're facing.
That experience is now yours to use.
I've worked for MHE suppliers — managing service departments and key contracts — and I've been the customer, managing national procurement for a 4,000-asset fleet. That dual perspective means I understand exactly how supplier pricing, contracts, and service levels actually work, and where the room for negotiation sits.
My experience is entirely practical. I've specified equipment, set up compliance programmes, managed LOLER schedules, hired and trained engineers, and dealt with supplier disputes at senior level. The advice I give is grounded in what works in a real, live operation — not a textbook.
Smiths MHS has no commercial arrangements with any MHE dealer, manufacturer, or leasing company. I receive no referral fees or commissions. Every recommendation I make is based solely on what is right for your business and your budget.
Having operated across 150+ sites nationwide at Culina Group, I understand logistics and distribution operations at scale. But I also know that good consultancy means understanding your specific site, your team, and your pressures — not applying a one-size-fits-all solution.
Your Operation.
Most conversations start with a no-obligation call. If it's worth a site visit, we'll arrange one — I'm happy to travel.
Let's Talk About
Your Operation
Whether you have a specific MHE challenge in mind or simply want a fresh pair of eyes on your fleet or compliance position, I'm happy to have an initial conversation at no charge. Based in Lancashire, I cover the whole of the UK.