MHIA forecasts growth of 8% to 9% for 2012 and 6% in 2013 with continued growth in 2014

Material handling equipment orders are forecasted to grow 8.0% to 9.0% in 2012 and 6.0% in 2013, according to the latest Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Forecast (MHEM) released by Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA).

“Consumers’ and Investors’ confidence is best characterized as uncertain; unemployment, industrial production activity and factory operating rates (utilization) are improving modestly,” said Hal Vandiver, MHIA executive consultant. “All are favorably impacting MHEM; but, do not indicate robust growth. Residential and non-residential construction, if forecasts hold, will contribute greatly to positive growth in 2014 and beyond. We have extended the forecast of 2012 to 2013; and in 2014, indicated the expectation for slower growth.”

In addition, material handling equipment shipments are forecasted to grow 9.0% in 2012 and 7.5% in 2013 and 2014. Domestic demand (shipments plus imports less exports) will likely mirror shipment growth in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

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.