After the boom of the 1990s, sales of industrial rack plunged along with sales of other materials handling equipment. The rack industry quickly recovered, with U.S. consumption reaching an all-time high of $1.25 billion last year. Consumption is expected to remain at about this level for 2007 and 2008. Thanks to rising steel prices, the cost of industrial rack has risen sharply in recent years. Consolidation continues among rack manufacturers, with giants such as Mecalux and Unarco acquiring their competitors.