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Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US - Market Research Report (2015-2030)

Vlad Khaustovich Vlad Khaustovich New York, United States Last Updated: January 2025 NAICS 33392

Revenue

$45.8bn

2025

$45.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

102k

Businesses

1,412

Wages

$X.Xbn

Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry analysis

The materials handling equipment industry, encompassing products like forklifts and conveyors, is currently experiencing robust performance, driven by increased industrial production and economic growth. The industry has benefited from heightened demand within manufacturing, construction and e-commerce, all of which require efficient logistics solutions to meet operational demands. While fiscal and monetary stimuli, along with supply chain recovery, have supported recent expansion, the cyclical replacement needs of this equipment add to overall demand. Steel prices surged early in the period but are now declining, benefitting the industry. The industry is estimated to achieve growth of 4.2% CAGR during the current period, with anticipated revenue growth of 0.8% in 2024 alone, resulting in a $45.8 billion revenue figure for the year.

Trends and Insights

  • E-commerce drives equipment innovation. The surge in online shopping has escalated the demand for efficient logistics, compelling industries to adopt advanced material handling technologies. This trend is crucial for meeting consumer expectations of speedy deliveries.
  • Technological innovations drive equipment demand. As businesses seek greater efficiencies and productivity, technological advancements in forklifts and conveyors become crucial. Features like automation and energy efficiency not only enhance operations but also attract demand from companies upgrading their logistics capabilities.
  • Michigan's deep manufacturing roots and existing supply chains foster operational efficiency and drive innovation. The state's historical expertise in manufacturing, enriched by advanced technology and collaboration, offers a competitive environment for companies.
  • Imports challenge domestic production. High import penetration, especially from countries like Mexico and China, pressures US manufacturers to innovate and enhance efficiencies. To remain competitive, domestic producers are encouraged to focus on technological advancements and superior product features.

Access hundreds of data points and trends

  • Market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $45.8bn in 2025.

Trends and Insights

Industrial production and economic growth have contributed to higher demand for material handling equipment

  • As the economy grows and industrial activities expand, there's a heightened need for materials handling equipment like forklifts and conveyors. Manufacturing, construction and warehousing sectors frequently require these tools to enhance operational efficiency and manage increased production volumes. Both the economy and industrial production have expanded during the current period, driven by a combination of fiscal and monetary stimuli early in the period as well as supply chain recovery in the second half of the period.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US
Revenue (2015-2030)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2025-2030)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Growth in e-commerce and industrial production is expected to drive demand for material handling equipment

  • The industry is expected to grow, driven by the rapid expansion of e-commerce and industrial production. As consumers continue to favor online shopping due to convenience and variety, e-commerce platforms will experience heightened pressures to expedite order fulfillment processes. Consequently, there will be an increased demand for sophisticated material handling solutions, including advanced conveyors and automated systems, to streamline operations within warehouses and distribution centers.

Biggest companies in the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue ($m)
2025
Profit ($m)
2025
Profit Margin (%)
2025
Toyota Material Handling USA Inc.
3,519.9
180.4
5.1
Crown Equipment Corporation
3,375.8
366.6
10.9
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
1,967.8
78.1
4.0

To view the market share and analysis for all 8 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Forklifts and industrial trucks, trailers and stackers, Conveyors and conveying equipment and Overhead cranes, hoists and monorail systems. Forklifts and industrial trucks, trailers and stackers is the largest segment of the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US.

Trends and Insights

Warehouse expansion and e-commerce growth boost demand for forklifts

  • E-commerce growth impacts forklift demand as distribution centers and warehouses expand to meet consumer expectations. This expansion necessitates efficient material handling, increasing the need for forklifts to optimize operations. As online shopping continues its upward trajectory, warehouse operations adapt, ensuring forklifts remain pivotal in facilitating swift and efficient logistics processes.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in this industry manufacture equipment used to lift or move materials. Major products and services include forklifts, conveyor equipment manufacturing, cranes, hoist systems, industrial trucks, stacker machinery and all related parts and upkeep of products. This industry excludes operators that manufacture construction-type tractors and cranes, as these companies are included in the Construction Machinery Manufacturing industry (IBISWorld report 33312).

What's included in this industry?

Industrial truck, tractor, trailer and stacker machinery Overhead traveling crane, hoist and monorail system Conveyor and conveying equipment Elevator and escalator

Companies

Toyota Material Handling USA Inc.Crown Equipment CorporationHyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 8 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

WINCHLEAN PRODUCTIONHOISTCONVEYOR BELTMATERIALS HANDLINGRESHORING

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 33392 - Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

E-commerce drives equipment innovation. The surge in online shopping has escalated the demand for efficient logistics, compelling industries to adopt advanced material handli...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
  • Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Technological innovations drive equipment demand. As businesses seek greater efficiencies and productivity, technological advancements in forklifts and conveyors become cruci...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2025
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2025
  • Major market segmentation in 2025
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Michigan's deep manufacturing roots and existing supply chains foster operational efficiency and drive innovation. The state's historical expertise in manufacturing, enriched...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2025
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2025
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2025

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Imports challenge domestic production. High import penetration, especially from countries like Mexico and China, pressures US manufacturers to innovate and enhance efficienci...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The industry remains highly fragmented, with few major players. High fragmentation is primarily caused by specialized market demands and diverse customer requirements.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
  • Overview of Toyota Material Handling USA Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of Crown Equipment Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 5 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Toyota Material Handling USA Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Crown Equipment Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 5 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

EPA and NFPA regulations enforce eco-friendly and fire safety practices, respectively, guiding manufacturers to adopt cleaner technologies. These regulations aim to minimize ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Fluctuating commodity prices require manufacturers to engage in strategic sourcing and supply chain management. Establishing stable, long-term supplier contracts and explorin...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2018-2023)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2018-2023)
  • Income Statement (2018-2023)
  • Balance Sheet (2018-2023)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2023)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2023)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States in 2025?

The market size of the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is $45.8bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in 2025?

There are 1,412 businesses in the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.0 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 4.2 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing market in United States are Toyota Material Handling USA Inc., Crown Equipment Corporation and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.

What does the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US in United States include?

Industrial truck, tractor, trailer and stacker machinery and Overhead traveling crane, hoist and monorail system are part of the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Toyota Material Handling USA Inc..

How competitive is the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Forklift & Conveyor Manufacturing in the US industry in United States.

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Competitors

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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