MHIA: 17.1% growth in materials handling equipment new orders in the first half of 2011

Material handling equipment orders grew 17.1% in the first half of 2011 and are forecasted to grow 11.0% in 2011 and 7.0% in 2012, according to the latest Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Forecast (MHEM) released by Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA).

“Consumers and investors are skeptical regarding improvement in economic conditions,” said Hal Vandiver, MHIA executive consultant. “Given slow GDP growth, unemployment is likely not to improve over the next 18 months, supporting concerns about positive consumer behavior. Industrial production activity appears to be softening and factory operating rates (utilization) are forecasted to improve only modestly.”

“Forecasts for GDP, investment and consumption have been downgraded to reflect the growing sentiment that US and global economies are fragile. We have reduced our forecast for MHEM new orders, shipment and domestic demand for 2012.”

In addition, material handling equipment shipments grew 6.1% in 2010 and are forecasted to grow 14.0% in 2011 and 7.0-8.0% in 2012. Domestic demand (shipments plus imports less exports) grew 3.0% to 4.0% in 2010. Domestic demand grew 13.1% in the first half of 2011 and 5.5% in 2012.

The MHEM forecast of material handling equipment manufacturing is released each quarter by MHIA and looks 12 to 18 months forward to anticipate changes in the material handling and logistics marketplace.