Membership benefits
As a member of the Fork Lift Truck Association, you will be recognised as part of an organisation which insists on the highest standards of service, safety and conduct. You will have the right to carry the FLTA marque - a sign of quality and trustworthiness which gives customers complete peace of mind. You will be seen as benefiting from the backing of the most authoritative body of its kind in Europe.
In practical terms, the initial value of joining the FLTA has been calculated as at least £20,000… and there are also annual deliverables and updates worth many thousands of pounds.
Website
This website is a key benefit for all members. The listings under the Find a member or service section provide the following.
- Links to help potential customers find you
Potential customers can search to find FLTA members within set distances from a given postcode. The potential customer can search for:
Any member within the set area.
Members by manufacturer, within the set area, or all dealerships nationwide.
Members accredited to CFTS for Thorough Examination.
Members accredited to CFTS by manufacturer.
Member service providers and suppliers are listed, and searchable, according to the service they provide, by potential customers which include other members. - Directory
Separate sections make it possible to look up key details for all different types of member. This includes a hyperlink to the members’ own website and a detailed listing of the depots managed by that member. - Members’ Area
The Members’ Area, accessible only to Full Members of the Association, is the fastest growing part of the website and the way forward for delivering a wide range of existing and new member benefits. Operating within this exclusive area gives members access to:
Free downloadable Risk Assessment software and other items.
Special editing tools to keep their company data fully up to date.
Catalogue purchases and course bookings at member prices.
The Members’ Forum.
A wealth of archive material.
Publications
The following essential manuals are issued free to members and are updated free of charge. Additional copies are available at discount prices.- Health & Safety Manual
A definitive guide to Health & Safety issues covering all aspects of workplace safety. -
Risk Assessment SoftwareDetailed information on the conduct of Risk Assessments together with more than 50 generic risk assessment forms that can be tailored by the member. Provided as downloadable software from the Members’ Area.
- Legislation & Regulations Manual
A binder that contains all the current legislation and regulations on fork lift truck operations. - Technical Bulletins Manual
A binder designed to hold the increasing range of Technical Bulletins and Fact Sheets issued to members. - Personnel Polices & Procedures Manual
A comprehensive and practical guide to personnel management issues. - Communications Manual
A binder for the safe keeping of other publications and general communications, such as the minutes of meetings, which are distributed to all members. - Contracts and Agreements
This package includes a range of hire contracts and maintenance agreements that can be tailored by the Member. Provided as downloadable software from the Members’ Area.
Other regular publications include the following: - Uplift
A glossy quarterly newsletter with Association news and items of general interest. - Health & Safety
A monthly update on a range of Health & Safety issues, featuring fork truck incidents where appropriate. - Technical Bulletins
Further guidance aimed at expanding knowledge of regulations and legislation. Issued as and when required.
Helplines
The following helplines are available to Full Members during normal working hours:- Association Helpline
Tel: 01256 381441 Fax: 01256 381735.
Available to provide guidance on legislation and answer any general questions of a professional nature. - Health & Safety Advice Line
Operated on behalf of the Association by a Health & Safety consultancy which offers general advice on any issue concerning Health & Safety in the workplace. - Commercial Legal Advice Service
24-hour helpline. Operated through the Association's insurers. Legal advice will be provided by telephone on any commercial legal problem, subject to the laws of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. - Employment Law Helpline
Operated on behalf of the Association by an external consultant. General advice can be provided on all aspects of employment law.
Alerts
Security Alerts are communicated to all members to notify them about stolen trucks or other forms of malpractice. The main inputs to this service come from the members themselves. The system can also be used to highlight issues concerning safety or other commercial matters.Training
The Association provides a wide range of courses for service engineers. These include important course covering the Thorough Examination of fork lift trucks and a series of basic, intermediate and advanced electronics programmes. In addition the Associate works on behalf of members to increase and improve the provision of apprentice training.
Surveys
The annual survey is collected and audited by external auditors to ensure anonymity and accuracy. The quarterly surveys are produced by the Chief Executive- Annual Engineers' Pay & Benefits survey
- Quarterly Market Trends survey
Publicity
At a more general level, the Association employs a public relations and marketing company. This company is tasked with keeping the Association in the public eye - or, more specifically, the materials handling press. By constantly reinforcing the Fork Lift Truck Association brand, its work provides members with a marketing edge. It also manages the Annual Awards, runs the Association website - www.fork-truck.org.uk - and provides guidance for exhibitions etc., as well as providing members with Association logo material.Certificates
Framed certificates are provided so that members can publicly display their membership of the Association:- Membership certificate
This certificate is renewed annually and ensures that only current members claim membership. - Code of Practice
Normally displayed alongside the membership certificate, the formal Code of Practice details the high standards expected of member companies.
Events
There are a number of regular events that members are encouraged to attend:- Awards
This is the materials handling industry event of the year. The Awards are made in a number of important categories and presented at a gala dinner dance and Awards ceremony attended by about 500 people. - Conference
This annual event aims to increase awareness of safety and innovation in the use and design of fork lift trucks. - AGM & Open Meetings
An opportunity to be brought up to date with, and impact on, Association affairs. These meetings normally include guest speakers on topical subjects and provide an opportunity to network with friends and colleagues. - Factory visits
An opportunity to visit a factory or organisation active in the materials handling industry. - Golf Day
A purely social event for players of all standards.
Other events are organised on an occasional ad hoc basis and have included overseas visits and clay pigeon shooting.