Material Handling Equipment Market Report 2025

The material handling equipment market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $205.25 billion in 2024 to $219.29 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to e-commerce growth, manufacturing sector expansion, global supply chain optimization, warehouse automation, increased port and terminal activities.

The material handling equipment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $289.51 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to evolving e-commerce logistics, green and sustainable practices, global manufacturing shifts, rise in last-mile delivery demands, smart logistics integration. Major trends in the forecast period include focus on ergonomic design for operator comfort and safety, customization and modular solutions in material handling systems, implementation of artificial intelligence for smart decision-making, expansion of autonomous material handling equipment, emphasis on safety technologies including collision avoidance.

The growth of e-commerce industries is anticipated to significantly boost the material handling equipment market in the future. E-commerce refers to the process of buying and selling goods and services over the Internet. The expansion of the e-commerce sector is driven by shifts in consumer preferences, enhanced convenience, and personalized shopping experiences. Automatic material handling equipment offers businesses ease in packaging, bulk material management, and supply chain operations within their industrial facilities. For example, in May 2024, the International Trade Administration (ITA), a U.S. government agency, reported that global e-commerce revenue reached $3.6 trillion in 2023, with projections indicating it will exceed $5.5 trillion by 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4%. Consequently, this surge in e-commerce is expected to fuel the growth of the material handling equipment market.

The increasing adoption of automated solutions and robotics is projected to drive growth in the material handling equipment market in the future. Automated solutions and robotics encompass the use of technology to develop systems that execute tasks and operations independently, thereby streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency across various sectors. These automated solutions leverage material handling equipment for effective transportation, sorting, and distribution, thanks to their accuracy, speed, and capability to perform repetitive tasks reliably. For example, in September 2024, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), a non-profit organization based in Germany, reported that global installations of industrial robotics reached 4.28 million units in 2023, marking a 10% increase from 3.9 million units in 2022. Therefore, the growing adoption of automated solutions is expected to significantly contribute to the expansion of the material handling equipment market.

Technological innovation is a prominent trend gaining momentum in the material handling equipment market. Major players in the industry are directing their efforts toward creating innovative products, such as electric material handling equipment, to fortify their market positions. Linde Material Handling, a Germany-based manufacturer of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, introduced electric heavy-duty forklift trucks with load capacities ranging from 10 to 18 tons in May 2022. This innovative series, built on the eight-ton range, includes features such as double drive, double lifting hydraulics, two batteries, and scaled pumps.

Key companies in the material handling equipment market are placing a strong emphasis on product innovation, introducing solutions such as high-level order picking systems to enhance their product portfolios. High-level order picking solutions are advanced and automated systems designed for efficient and accurate fulfillment of customer orders in warehouse and distribution operations. Toyota Material Handling, a US-based manufacturer of material handling products, launched 22 new electric products in January 2022, expanding their portfolio to address customer needs. These products include low-level order pickers, furniture order pickers, enclosed end rider, stand-up rider pallet jacks, and four electric pneumatic forklift models with capacities ranging from 3,000 to 17,500 pounds.

In February 2024, Big Lift, a machinery manufacturer based in the United States, acquired ePicker LLC for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is a strategic step for Big Lift to enhance its presence in the competitive material handling market, especially in the area of lithium-powered equipment. ePicker LLC, also a U.S.-based firm, focuses on offering a diverse array of material handling equipment designed to improve efficiency and productivity across numerous industrial applications.

Major companies operating in the material handling equipment market market include Beumer Group GmbH & Co. KG, Daifuku Co. Ltd., KION Group AG, Toyota Industries Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., SSI Schäfer Group GmbH, Jungheinrich AG, Crown Equipment Corporation, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc., Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc., Mecalux S.A., Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Liebherr Group, Swisslog Holding AG, Action Construction Equipment Ltd., TGW Logistics Group GmbH, Viastore Systems GmbH, WITRON Logistik + Informatik GmbH, BHS Corrugated Maschinen- und Anlagenbau GmbH, Cimcorp Automation Ltd., Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Eisenmann SE, Elettrric80 S.p.A., Hanel GmbH & Co. KG, Hapman LLC, Hytrol Conveyor Company Inc., ICM Airport Technics GmbH, Intelligented Co. Ltd., Jervis B. Webb Company, KITO Corporation, KNAPP AG.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the material handling equipment market share in 2024. The regions covered in the material handling equipment market market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the material handling equipment market market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Material handling equipment encompasses mechanical tools used for various purposes in the movement or storage of goods within industrial settings. These devices facilitate the transportation, storage, and manipulation of commodities and materials throughout the manufacturing, distribution, utilization, and disposal processes. Material handling equipment enables the efficient and swift movement of large quantities of products and heavy objects.

The main types of material handling equipment find application in manufacturing and distribution. Manufacturers in this context refer to companies engaged in the production and handling of material handling equipment. A manufacturer is an entity, whether an individual or a registered corporation, involved in the creation of finished goods from raw materials for profit. Various products in this category include cranes and lifting equipment, industrial trucks, continuous handling equipment, and racking and storage equipment. These material handling equipment types are utilized across diverse industries such as automotive, food and beverages, chemical, semiconductor and electronics, e-commerce, aviation, pharmaceuticals, and others.

The material handling equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides material handling equipment market statistics, including material handling equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a material handling equipment market share, detailed material handling equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the material handling equipment industry. This material handling equipment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The material handling equipment market consists of sales of casters and wheels, controllers, conveyors, dock equipment. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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