According to the latest Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Forecast, by MHI, demand for material handling equipment is expected to grow by 9% by 2015. In 2013, there was an 8.8% boost in demand and 2014 expects a similar increase. The same upward trends are expected for material handling equipment shipments.
Domestic demand grew similarly but import growth was down to 3% in 2013 and expects to remain flat through 2014.
Experts are optimistic about the future, however, and “expect economic fundamentals to favourably support MHEM expansion through 2014 and 2015.”