The market for loading dock equipment in the United States reached about $200 million last year, according to Department of Commerce figures compiled by the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA). Dock levelers are a big part of that market and, according to MHIA, about 75% of levelers sold last year were of the pit-mounted variety. Vertical-storing levelers are growing in popularity, but they represent only about 5% of sales.

Dock equipment manufacturers have been gradually consolidating, and today many of the industry's popular brands are made under one corporate umbrella.