THE FIRST QUARTER of 2007 appears to have been the best quarter ever for U.S. sales of materials handling equipment, according to Material Handling Industry of America’s (MHIA, www.mhia.org) latest economic report. New orders in Q1 set a record of $7.6 billion.

According to MHIA forecasts, equipment sales have reached a peak and will contract slightly over the next two years.

“We’re not talking about a recession here,” says MHIA’s Hal Vandiver. “We’re just talking about a slight touch.” The industry has been growing at such a fast clip, he says, that manufacturers need some time to catch their breath.