Predictions on the severity of this year's winter conditions may be as diverse as the British weather itself, but what remains certain is that businesses need to plan ahead for every eventuality.
According to materials handling solutions provider, Briggs Equipment, the fact that some of the worst conditions can strike when companies are at their busiest makes forward planning all the more difficult.
"Of course, most businesses will already have effective plans in place to meet the Christmas rush," explained Gavin Wickham, operations director at Briggs Equipment. "However, before these plans swing into action there are a few additional checks they need to make to ensure the risks posed by unforeseen events - including the weather - are kept to a minimum."
The performance and reliability of even the very best forklifts or other pieces of materials handling equipment can be compromised by extreme weather, particularly snow and ice.
Although this is not a problem the UK faces every year, and rarely for more than a few days, failing to take any practical precautions can cost thousands, and not just in terms of lost productivity and penalties for failing to fulfil orders.
"As firms prepare for the seasonal rush it's easy for operators to overlook some simple maintenance checks - leaving them open to some potential problems when they may be at their busiest," Mr Wickham said.
"There are some obvious checks, such as inspecting tyres, that many firms will have done already but there are other vital truck components they need to consider.
"Hoses that connect various hydraulic elements of the lifting system should also be checked at regular intervals as they naturally work loose over time.
