The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA), the UK’s leading authority on fork lift truck standards and operational safety, has appointed a new President – the Managing Director of Crown Lift Truck Ltd, Simon Barkworth. Previously known as the Vice President of the organisation, for the celebration of BITA’s 75th anniversary, President Tim Waples stepped down from his position and made room for someone else.

Simon has been the Managing Director of Crown Lift Trucks since 2015, and since his appointment the company has seen an unprecedented period of growth. “I think now is perhaps the most exciting time ever in the business, with so many changes and challenges ahead – developing customer expectations, the continuing growth of online shopping across all areas, the future availability of labour and, not least, the phenomenal growth in technology. I followed my father into the forklift business – it kind of gets into your blood – and it was a very different business then,” commented Simon on the news.

He thinks that with him as the leader of the association, they will develop more competitive collaborations across the industry and the support they will offer to its members will help them face the challenges to come with success.

“I would like to welcome Simon into his new role as President. As BITA approaches its 75th anniversary in 2018, we continue to remain relevant to our memberships’ interests, providing a trusted repository of knowledge for our members to draw on and enabling them to convert uncertainty into opportunity,” said James Clark, Secretary-General of BITA.

Together with Simon, BITA will enter a new year and a new period for the industry, in which together they will equip its members with the knowledge, resources, and support they need and expect from such a renowned trade association.