We are a specialist warehouse and logistics recruitment agency supplying vetted temporary and permanent staff to small, medium and large businesses across the Midlands and South Yorkshire.
We can support your operations with flexible solutions tailored to your needs, whether that’s temporary cover, ongoing staffing, or temp-to-perm placements. Our temp-to-perm option is a popular choice with clients, giving you the opportunity to assess new hires in your environment over a probationary period – ensuring the right fit before making a long-term commitment. This approach reduces hiring risk, supports better retention, and gives you complete confidence when offering a permanent contract.
We place a vast majority of candidates into forklift roles within various companies across warehousing, manufacturing and other industrial businesses. We have been recruiting in this sector for 20 years, working in partnership with a variety of companies from SME’s to large distribution centres, supporting for one off vacancies, dual supply with other agencies and sole supply agreements.
- Reach Forklift Driver
- Counterbalance Forklift Driver
- PPT Driver
- LLOP Driver
- HLOP Driver
- MHE Driver
- VNA Driver
- Bendi / Flexi Driver
- D2 Reach Driver
Recruitment Solutions for Warehouse and Logistics
When supplying forklift drivers, compliance isn’t something we leave to chance. Our internal compliance team carries out thorough checks on every Forklift Driver we place, verifying that licences are in date, valid and authenticated with the training provider. This ensures that every operator not only meets legal requirements but is safe and fully qualified to be onsite – reducing risk, supporting site safety and protecting your business from potential liability.
Demand can shift in an instant and flexible staffing gives you more control. Whether you’re facing peak periods, sudden spikes in volume or unplanned absences, we provide reliable support exactly when you need it – helping you maintain productivity without overburdening your core team. By scaling your workforce levels to meet real-time demand, you reduce fixed costs, improve cash flow and gain greater control over your spending.
We become a visible presence within your operation. Through regular check-ins, induction support and job shadowing, we take the time to truly understand your working environment and expectations. This hands-on approach ensures every new starter arrives prepared, confident, and ready to contribute from day one. By embedding ourselves into your operation, you get peace of mind that your team is supported and your standards are consistently met.
We can step in quickly to cover a single, unexpected vacancy, ensuring your operation continues to run smoothly without disruption, maintaining productivity and service levels while you plan a longer-term solution.
Our dual supply approach complements your existing agency, giving you additional flexibility and capacity during peak periods or fluctuating demand. This collaborative support helps reduce pressure on your core team.
By managing your entire staffing requirement, we act as your single, reliable point of contact for recruitment and workforce management. Sole supply improves consistency and ensures your operation benefits from an aligned partnership.
Why businesses choose Essential
“My first experience working with the team at Essential Recruitment began in December 2024, when we needed MHE drivers to support us during our peak operational period. From day one, Essential Recruitment impressed us by supplying highly competent, confident, and efficient workers and have maintained the same level of service to the present day.
We have welcomed several outstanding team members through their services, some of whom have now transitioned into full-time employees. This partnership has significantly contributed to our operational success during our busiest times.
The communication between myself, as a Shift Manager, and the Recruitment Consultants has been excellent. Their efforts have made the transition for any new team members seamless, ensuring zero confusion and a smooth onboarding process.
Nothing is ever to much of an ask. I look forward to strengthening our relationship in the future and onboarding many more great candidates.”
Paul B, Goods-In Shift Manager
“Over the last six months Will has been my first port of call for all of our staffing requirements.
He updates me every night for the following days staffing and calls me every morning at 8am to check that everyone has turned up for work.
He’s always really enthusiastic and eager to please when I need urgent cover. I have no worries about inductions because Will covers everything for us which really takes pressure off us when we are busy, as in the past we have used other agencies that don’t provide that level of service.
Nothing ever seems to be a problem for him when we need last minute replacements, he gets straight on it and updates me as soon as he can. I can’t really fault his work ethic and enthusiasm, he is a credit to Essential Recruitment.”
Nathan W, Warehouse Supervisor
Locations
Our offices are located across South Yorkshire and the Midlands, giving us the ability to support operations across these regions and beyond. Our main areas of operation include:
FAQ Section
What checks does your compliance team cover?
Our team’s checks include right to work, visa expiry, modern slavery audits, forklift licence verification, young worker checks, 48 working hour checks and more. View the full compliance schedule here
What is involved in a candidate induction?
Each induction is tailored to you, which can include job details, accident reporting, fire procedure, health & safety, manual handling, company rules, PPE and more.
How do Temp to Perm contracts work?
Assess your new starter over a probation period of up to 26 weeks. During this time you can monitor the candidate’s work ethic and commitment to the role, see if they fit into the team and working environment and give you to flexibility to decide when the time is right for you to offer a permanent contract. If you decide you’d like to offer permanent employment the candidate will be transferred over to your company and we will be onsite to present them with a certificate of permanent employment.
How is candidate payroll processed?
All agency workers are paid weekly on a Friday via PAYE by our inhouse payroll team.
Which KPI's do you track?
We work to KPI parameters personalised to you and your areas of continuous improvement, this can include but not limited to:
- Shift fulfilment
- Staff turnover
- Quality of workforce
- No. of Timesheets
- Non conformances
Who do I speak to if I want to hire permanently not temporary?
For mid-high skilled roles, contact our Essential Professional team on 0333 99 66 988
