The logistics landscape is evolving rapidly in 2025, and industries embarking in materials handling have recognised the increasing importance of staying current under a climate of constant change.

With shifts in labour laws, new tech adoption, evolving sustainability requirements, and global volatility, forklifts and materials handling equipment play a more strategic role than ever before.  

Here, we will take a closer look at the top five challenges facing global logistics in 2025, and how materials handling vehicles not only mitigate them, but also promote a stable foundation for future growth. 

Challenge One: Labour Shortages and Skills Gaps

Labour shortages and skills gaps remain a persistent challenge across the logistics and warehousing industries. Recently, businesses have been finding it even more difficult to maintain productivity levels due to an increasing number of employees retiring.

At the same time, onboarding new hires can be slow and costly, especially when materials handling equipment requires a steep learning curve or extensive training.

This has led to many warehouses and businesses to seek machinery that will help reduce the time it takes for new operators to become proficient. 

They have been focusing on procuring trucks and forklifts with:

• Smart, operator-focused design
• Intuitive controls 
• Simplified steering systems
• Responsive handling 
• Automation-ready features 

Trucks and forklifts featuring these options can significantly minimise onboarding delays and decrease the likelihood of costly errors. 

For both experienced and new operators, ergonomic design also plays a critical role. Adjustable seating, reduced vibration, and easy-to-reach controls help prevent fatigue and support longer, safer shifts. When working conditions are more comfortable, businesses will see an increase not only in productivity, but staff retention.

In short, businesses that opt for equipment which is easier to operate will maintain high performance even in a tight labour market. 

Challenge Two: Pressure for Faster, More Reliable Fulfilment

E-commerce has redefined customer expectations. Speed, accuracy, and reliability were once differentiators, but now, they’re the baseline. 

Today’s buyers want more delivered, faster, and with total transparency. For warehouse and logistics operations, that means pressure to fulfil orders rapidly without sacrificing quality or efficiency.

This is where high-performance warehouse trucks make a measurable impact. 

Modern electric pallet trucks, small stackers, and dedicated order pickers are designed for speed and agility in fast-paced fulfilment environments. Their compact footprints allow operators to move through narrow aisles with ease, while quick acceleration and precise controls reduce the time spent navigating between pick locations or staging areas.

Many of today’s machines come equipped with smart systems that help streamline operations. Features like auto-braking, regenerative energy systems, and ergonomic controls ensure smoother workflows and fewer delays. 

Order pickers play a central role in meeting fulfilment demands. By providing efficient vertical movement at a variety of heights due to adjustable forks and platform heights, order pickers support high-throughput picking without putting strain on staff or sacrificing safety.

Fast-charging pallet trucks can handle continuous shifts without extended downtime, ensuring goods are moving in and out of the warehouse as quickly as possible. High-intensity shift operations requiring more speed whilst maintaining driver safety, for example, will appreciate the PTP/S power pallet truck for its driver-protected side-entry platform and compact build. 

In a fast-paced world where efficiency is still key, technology that can provide speed that doesn’t sacrifice quality can turn fulfilment into a competitive advantage.

Challenge Three: Sustainability and Emissions Targets

In today’s logistics landscape, sustainability is non-negotiable. With growing pressure from governments, customers, and corporate stakeholders, warehouses are being asked to drastically cut emissions, reduce energy use, and prove their commitment to greener operations. 

One of the clearest transitions is the move away from diesel-powered trucks in favour of electric alternatives. Modern electric trucks not only reduce emissions, they also offer quieter operation, lower maintenance costs, and greater energy efficiency over time. 

Advances in battery technology are helping drive this change. Lithium-ion and other high-performance battery systems offer faster charging, longer run times, and better energy management compared to older lead-acid systems. 

Electric trucks make a powerful case for operations aiming to meet sustainability targets without sacrificing performance.

Related: Key Features and Benefits of Lithium-Ion Battery Technology 

Challenge Four: Supply Chain Volatility

Global supply chains are under constant pressure. Conflicts, trade disputes, shipping bottlenecks, and raw material shortages have made volatility the new normal. In this environment, warehouses need to be more agile and resilient.

This starts with reliable, low-maintenance equipment, because when external disruptions strike, internal delays are no longer an option. 

Forklifts and warehouse trucks must be ready to perform consistently, without unexpected downtime or complex servicing. High-quality equipment with simplified maintenance routines helps ensure operations can keep moving, even when parts or labour are harder to source.

Businesses are increasingly looking for durability and serviceability at the core of their trucks. Components must be accessible, diagnostics intuitive, and wear-resistant materials should reduce the need for frequent replacements. 

Dependability supports operational flexibility, helping teams adapt quickly to shifting schedules, inventory changes, and fluctuating demand.

Challenge Five: Warehouse Space Constraints and Automation Integration

As urban distribution centres become more common, warehouses are under pressure to do more with less floor space, fewer aisles, and tighter layouts. 

Smarter vertical storage and equipment built for precision in confined environments has become a necessity for most businesses. 

This is where compact, high-performance trucks become increasingly valuable. Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) trucks operate in aisles as narrow as 1.6 metres and reach heights of up to 19 metres, enabling businesses to maximise every cubic metre of warehouse space. 

Reach trucks offer further flexibility, allowing operators to more easily access deep pallet positions while maintaining a tight turning radius. Additional options such as drive-in racking and rail guidance allow warehouses to tailor these trucks to specific applications within their unique spaces. 

Utilising the right trucks for your warehouse will not only help overcome space restraints, but unlock smarter and more efficient operations. 

Challenges in logistics and material handling are inevitable, but how businesses respond to them makes all the difference. Choosing equipment that is efficient, reliable, and built for sustainability doesn’t just help your business weather disruption, it positions your operation to thrive in the face of it.

To learn more about our range of forklifts and trucks, including how they can be optimised for your unique space, reach out to one of our knowledgeable team members.