The global material handling equipment market size was USD 26.62 billion in 2018 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period. Rising demand for incorporation of automation and modernization in manufacturing processes, expansion of the aviation industry and e-commerce industry, and demand for transparency in supply chain and flexibility in warehouse operations are some of the factors expected to drive the growth.
Material handling equipment is used in warehouses for managing the storage and transportation of goods and products. It ensures improved productivity by enhancing logistics at warehouses and manufacturing plants. These products offer cost-effective, process efficiency, and an accurate method for the swift transition of goods across the manufacturing plants and warehouses, resulting in increased demand.
Material handling is a crucial intermediary in the manufacturing sector. Although it does not directly contribute to the production of goods, it leads to efficiency in handling, managing, storing, and transporting goods. This equipment complements the production activity by ensuring a swift, smooth, and efficient circulation of goods thereby, resulting in the increased demand for the equipment over the forecast period.
Rise in industrial and infrastructural activities to fulfill the demand from the ever-growing population, is anticipated to bode well for market growth. Manufacturing and other industries incessantly attract huge amounts of foreign capital, thus augmenting the production activities. Governments across the world are increasing their infrastructural development to build new airports, rail networks, seaports, and power plants, and upgrade the prevailing ones. All these activities are simplified by using material handling equipment such as forklifts, conveyors, and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).
Rising employer inclination towards employee or worker safety is also expected to fuel the growth of the material handling market. Thus, owing to the rise in industrial activities, industrialists have become more responsible for worker and workplace safety to maintain their goodwill in the market. As more companies are inclining toward automation to sustain the competition, encourage efficiency in the warehouse, and cut down costs, they are striving to build a safer working environment for employees. Thus, improving working and safety conditions is an integral part of their industrial activities, which is expected to remain a major growth avenue for this market.
The products segment has been segregated into storage and handling equipment, automated storage and retrieval system, industrial trucks, bulk material handling equipment, and others. The automated storage and retrieval system segment is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR of over 5.0% over the forecast period, owing to the growing adoption of robotic systems, conveyor systems, and AGVs in warehouses and manufacturing units.
Meanwhile, the storage and handling equipment are used to buffer or hold materials when they are not being transported. They are used for temporary storage and long-term storage. Thus, the demand for pallets, shelves, and racks is anticipated to rise over the forecast period. Furthermore, the industrial trucks segment held the largest market share of over 30.0% in 2018 and is anticipated to witness significant growth over the forecast period. This is attributed to the technological advancements and emergence of automated solutions such as tracking and monitoring solutions in industrial trucks.
The end-user segment has been segregated into automotive, food and beverages, chemical, semiconductor and electronics, e-commerce, aviation, pharmaceuticals, and others. The e-commerce segment held the largest market share exceeding 15% in terms of revenue in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR of over 8% over the forecast period.
Meanwhile, the food and beverage segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 5.0% over the forecast period. The rising need for handling, storing, and transporting materials within the factory for efficient manufacturing and packing of materials is anticipated to spur the equipment sales over the forecast period. Similarly, the aviation segment is anticipated to exceed USD 2.00 billion by 2018. Baggage handling systems, check-in systems, and other automation solutions incorporated in airports is expected to spur the sales.
Europe held the largest market share in 2018 and accounted for over 30.0% owing to huge investments made by governments for the adoption of innovative solutions coupled with the rising adoption of automation by several players. For instance, Toyota Industries Corporation launched two new automated shuttle solutions in the European market known as Toyota Autoshuttle and Toyota Radioshuttle. These shuttles are pallet carriers and are suitable for carrying heavy goods and ensures no goods damage.
Meanwhile, North American is projected to witness significant growth over the forecast period, attributed to the rising demand for automated material handling equipment. Increasing awareness about employee safety, accuracy, and effectiveness in managing bulk materials, along with adequate usage of space, and the emergence of integrated Industry 4.0 with IoT is expected to positively impact the regional growth.
The market is highly consolidated and characterized by high competition with the presence of major global players such as BEUMER Group; Intelligrated Systems Inc., Kion Group AG; Toyota Industries Corporation; and Murata Machinery Ltd.; among others. These companies are engaged in introducing innovative products to enhance their market presence and expand their geographical reach.
For instance, in November 2018, BEUMER Group launched an automated sortation system at Whistl Ltd. super depot in Bolton, U.K., Whistl Ltd. a door drop delivery management company. The automated sortation system at Whistl Ltd. is known as an automated cross-belt loop sorter. This automated cross-belt loop sorter ensures faster sortation of parcels and packets. This was an initiative undertaken by BEUMER Group to enhance its market presence in the U.K. and also support Whistl Ltd. to offer effective processing of parcels and packets.
Similarly, various companies are engaged in mergers and acquisitions and collaborations or partnerships to enhance their market presence and expand their product portfolio. For instance, in February 2017, Toyota Industries Corporation announced the acquisition of Bastian Solutions LLC. The latter is based in the U.S. and is engaged in developing software for material handling systems. Through this acquisition, Toyota Industries Corporation expects to strengthen its market presence in North America by engaging in large scale projects across the region.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2020 |
USD 29.16 billion |
Revenue forecast in 2025 |
USD 41.18 billion |
Growth Rate |
CAGR of 6.8% from 2019 to 2025 |
Base year for estimation |
2018 |
Historical data |
2014 - 2017 |
Forecast period |
2019 - 2025 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD billion and CAGR from 2019 to 2025 |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company share, competitive landscape, growth factors and trends |
Segments covered |
Product, end-use, region |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; Middle East & Africa |
Country scope |
U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; France; China; India; Japan; South East Asia; Australia; Brazil; Mexico; UAE; Saudi Arabia; South Africa |
Key companies profiled |
BEUMER Group; Intelligrated Systems Inc., Kion Group AG; Toyota Industries Corporation; and Murata Machinery Ltd. |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends from 2014 to 2025 in each of the sub-segments. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global material handling equipment market report based on the product, end-use, and region:
Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025)
Storage and Handling Equipment
Automated Storage and Retrieval System
Industrial Trucks
Bulk Material Handling Equipment
Others
End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025)
Automotive
Food & Beverages
Chemical
Semiconductor & Electronics
E-Commerce
Aviation
Pharmaceutical
Others
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025)
North America
The U.S.
Canada
Europe
U.K.
Germany
France
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
Southeast Asia
Australia
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
South Africa
b. The global material handling equipment market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% from 2019 to 2025 to reach USD 41.18 billion by 2025.
b. Industrial trucks dominated the material handling equipment market with a share of 32.1% in 2019. This is attributable to technological advancements and increasing integration of automated solutions such as tracking and monitoring devices in the industrial trucks.
b. Some key players operating in the material handling equipment market include BEUMER Group; Intelligrated Systems Inc., Kion Group AG; Toyota Industries Corporation; and Murata Machinery Ltd.
b. Key factors that are driving the material handling equipment market growth include rising demand for incorporation of automation and modernization in manufacturing processes, expansion of the aviation industry & e-commerce industry, and rising demand for transparency in supply chain and warehouse operations.
b. The global material handling equipment market size was estimated at USD 27.77 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 29.16 billion in 2020.
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The automotive & transportation industry is amongst the most exposed verticals to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and is currently amidst unprecedented uncertainty. COVID-19 is expected to have a significant impact on the supply chain and product demand in the automotive sector. The industry's concern has moved on from being centered on supply chain disruption from China to the overall slump in demand for automotive products. The demand for commercial vehicles is expected to plummet with the shutdown of all non-essential services. Furthermore, changes in consumer buying behavior owing to uncertainty surrounding the pandemic may have serious implications on the near future growth of the industry. Meanwhile, liquidity shortfall and cash crunch have already impacted the sales of fleet operators, which is further expected to widen over the next few months. We are continuously monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, and assessing its impact on the growth of the automotive & transportation industry. The report will account for Covid19 as a key market contributor.