Demand to exceed $20 billion in 2008
The US market for material handling systems and equipment in the US will increase 4.3 percent per
year through 2008 to $20.4 billion. Such growth wil represent a significant improvement over the
previous five-year period, which was characterized by a weak capital investment climate and sluggish
economic activity. Demand will be generated by technological innovations resulting in improved
productivity and efficiency, increased safety and greater ease of operations, especially in such advanced/
automated segments of the business as material handling robots, automated guided vehicles
(AGVs), material handling software and high-end services.
Advanced/automated segment to see strong growth
Demand for conventional material handling equipment -- industrial trucks and lifts, conveying equipment,
and hoists, cranes and monorails -- will improve from recent levels and continue to account for
the vast majority of material handling systems demand, despite increasing automation
in manufacturing and other markets. Industrial trucks and lifts will remain the largest category of conventional
material handling equipment and will see the fastest gains among major conventional segments.
The advanced/automated segment will see robust gains through 2008, outpacing that of conventional
equipment. Automated storage and retriev alsy stems (AS/RSs) will remain the largest advanced/automated market. Several
smaller product segments, such as material hand ling robots and software, will see more dynamic growth
than the more mature AS/RS market. Increasingly ,material handling equipment and systems will becom
puter-integrated into larger-scale factory auto mationand automated ware
house-type environments,where they will be linked to other aspects of the supply chain
managmentprocess (inventory control, materials purchasing, etc.).
Durable goods tore main top market
Durable goods manufacturing represented 35 per cent of material handling equipment
demand in 2003, and will post above-average gains through 2008. Metal sappli
cations and aero space equipment will present the fastest growth sectors of all durable goods markets.
Nondurable goods manufacturing will also see above-average advance sthrough 2008, led by
healthy growth in the chemicals and food and beverages markets. Other industries will see
gains well below the industry average through 2008.
Industry concentration
Over 500 firms produce material handling-related equipment and systems in the US, most of them
smaller concerns targeting specific product, geo graphicand/or end-user markets. Reflecting the still
some what fragmented, but consolidating state of the US industry, the leading six
producers accounted for 24percent of the total market in 2003.
Study coverage
Details on these and other key findings are available in the new Free donia industry
study, Material Handling Systems & Equipment, priced at $4100. Historical data (1993, 1998, 2003)plus forecasts (2008, 2013)present US demand for
conventional and advanced systems and equipment by type and market. The study also details market
shares and provides profiles for 38US industry participants. | 
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