Material Handling Equipment Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Equipment Type (Cranes & Lifting Equipment, Industrial Trucks, Continuous Handling Equipment, Racking & Storage Equipment), By Operations (Assembly, Distribution, Transportation, Others), By Industry (Consumer Goods & Electronics, Automotive, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Construction, Mining, Semiconductors, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027

The global material handling equipment market size was USD 211.76 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 320.90 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.

This report covers COVID-19 impact analysis on Material Handling Equipment Market

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With the fast changing business landscape, companies are inclining towards replacing or upgrading their existing range of material handling machinery. Also, the advent of superior technology and introduction of high-level software such as warehouse management system (WMS) facilitates smoother flow of goods and reduces error in operations. Thereby, leading to increased overall productivity.

The evolution of hands-free communication systems, internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud data, and others is enabling to synchronize the overall production process optimally.  For instance, in August 2020, Swisslog, a warehouse automation specialist, completed a project of a fully automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) for a Dubai-based drinks company, Mai Dubai for around USD 20 million. This system is configured with intelligent software in the context of big data, Swisslog WMS (SynQ) for real-time 3D visualization, and condition monitoring of the entire operation.

Manufacturing Sector Experiences Major Supply Chain Disruption amid COVID-19

The widespread effects of COVID-19 are leading to uncertain growth projections, fast evolving economic implications, and high unemployment rates globally. The restrictions on the movement of the people and goods have disrupted the entire supply chain systems. In addition to this, the reduced foreign direct investments are negatively impacting several sectors such as manufacturing, 3PL logistics, automotive, food & beverages and others globally. For instance, according to The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), it is estimated that the global foreign direct investments are expected to shrink by 5 to 15% owing to the downfall in the manufacturing sector, coupled with complete stoppage of production at industrial facilities. Besides, the pandemic is enforcing the food & beverages manufacturing industry to halt its operations owing to supply chain derailment and lack of availability of manpower. For instance, according to a study by France-based Association Nationale des Industries Alimentaires (ANIA), food & beverage companies are suffering around 22% loss in annual turnover owing to the global pandemic across the globe.  

LATEST TRENDS

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Introduction of Automation in Material Handling Equipment to Boost the Market

Today, automation is playing a critical role in revolutionizing the business practices to meet the consumer demand, while keeping the production and logistics costs down. This has led to the adoption of versatile automated systems capable of working in multiple environments. For instance, in March 2020, Atherton Material Handling (AMH) completed three projects for DHL International GmbH, wherein, Selfridges & Co., approached DHL to map up their increasing needs of e-commerce throughput. AMH installed two additional conveyor feeds and developed a new three-floor automation system making room for additional workbenches and store products efficiently.

The connectivity in equipment has enabled manufacturers to pursue greater visibility, information sharing, and performance throughout the supply chain. Retail and pharmaceutical industries emphasize on the deployment of automation. wherein, the uptime and responsiveness are critical on the shop floor and warehouses. Also, it enables to gauge real-time status of materials at the factory floor and facilitates smart decision making. Owing to the aforementioned factors, material handling machinery is likely to grow in the forthcoming years.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising E-commerce Sector to Propel Market Growth

The material handling industry is highly driven by the rising e-commerce sector across the globe. According to the Digital Commerce360 projections, consumers worldwide spent nearly USD 3.46 trillion online in 2019, which was around USD 2.93 trillion in 2018 with an expected year-over-year growth rate of 17.9%. Similarly, total retail sales across all channels stood at USD 20.31 trillion in 2018. Owing to the rising online shopping, the material handling industry is focusing on developing customized equipment and systems aligning with warehouses and supply chain ecosystems. This includes manufacturing engineered systems, remotely trackable transport vehicles, and smart warehousing systems to gauge real-time visibility and better consumer services. Therefore, the surging online shopping trend and continuous development in material handling systems is expected to contribute to the growth of the global market during the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Massive Investments at Initial Stage and High Maintenance Cost to Hinder Market Growth

The challenging factor experienced by the global market for material handling equipment is the large initial capital expenditure required for procurement, integration, programming, installation, accessories, and others. This creates a limitation for companies, especially for small and medium enterprises. Such companies find it difficult to park large amounts of funds owing to low-volume production and slow return on investments (ROI). Besides, high maintenance cost is another factor that is restraining the material handling equipment market growth. The cost of software upgradation, replacement of various parts and other devices, and the increasing ownership cost further leads to slowing down of the market.

SEGMENTATION

By Equipment Type Analysis

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Cranes & Lifting Equipment Segment to Hold the Largest Market Share

The equipment type segment includes cranes & lifting equipment, industrial trucks, continuous handling equipment, and racking & storage equipment. 

The industrial trucks considered in the study include forklift trucks, telescopic handler forklifts and others. The segment is anticipated to showcase a significant growth in the forthcoming years owing to ageing workforce, changing demographics, rising unit and bulk loading consignments, and a growing e-commerce industry.

The equipment considered under cranes & lifting equipment are tower cranes, overhead cranes, mobile cranes and others. The cranes & lifting equipment segment is expected to experience a moderate growth during the forecast period owing to the increasing number of commercial and residential projects that require equipment for lifting heavy metals and other construction materials, and the rising mining activities for metals such as gold, iron ore and other metals.

The equipment considered in the scope includes conveyor systems, put systems and others. This segment is expected to experience a moderate growth in future with the rising food & beverages, pharmaceutical, automotive, packaging industry, wherein, continuous processing is conducted to handle raw material and finished goods.

Racking and storage equipment segment includes automated storage and retrieval system, storage racks and others. This segment is anticipated to showcase a steady growth owing to the rising automation in handling and storing bulky materials, and the rising e-commerce industry, among others.

By Operations Analysis

Transportation Segment is Anticipated to Exhibit a Significant CAGR

The operations segment covered in this scope includes assembly, distribution, transportation, and others.

Transportation segment holds the highest market share and is anticipated to grow owing to the increasing demand for the transportation & logistics sector, online shopping, and the rising infrastructure development.

Assembly segment is anticipated to grow moderately in the coming years owing to the growing demand from the automobile industry to assemble various car spares and parts and from semiconductor industry to incline various transistors and circuits.

Distribution segment is expected to register a steady growth in the forthcoming years owing to the rising distribution and warehouses facilities across developed and developing economies. Also, the growing e-commerce and online shopping trends are enabling the distribution center owners to automate its facilities to ensure smooth flowing of materials and goods.

By Industry Analysis

Construction Segment is Anticipated to Exhibit a Considerable CAGR

The industry segment considered in the scope includes consumer goods & electronics, automotive, food & beverages, pharmaceutical, construction, mining, semiconductors, and others.

The construction industry is experiencing high growth owing to the rising construction and restructuring projects across developed and developing economies. Also, government initiatives towards infrastructure development and massive investment in uplifting the real estate sector are contributing to the growth of the market.

The growth in the automotive industry is contributing to the surging demand for material handling equipment. Manufacturers are focusing on improving the assembling process to reduce the turnaround time, and adopting lean management to manufacture the vehicle and deliver on time. In such scenarios, flow of spares and other parts is vital for smooth functioning of the process that further propels the potential of material handling equipment.

The growth of material handling equipment is expected to be moderate across consumer electronics, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and mining industries owing to the growing population, demand for precious metals, government norms to handle hazardous chemicals and composition, and the rising automation industry.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. They are further categorized into countries.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to emerge dominant in the global market during the forecast period. This dominance is attributable to the surging demand for automotive and manufacturing processes. In addition to this, countries such as South Korea, China, and Taiwan, are inclining towards the adoption of modern material handling methods for proper utilization of production capabilities. For instance, in July 2017, Coca-Cola, a leading beverage company, opened warehouses in Singapore valued around USD 57 million with automated storage and retrieval systems. 

North America is anticipated to showcase substantial growth owing to the increasing sales in the region through the e-commerce industry. Additionally, the growing demand for durable and non-durable goods is propelling the manufacturing companies to adopt extensive assembly lines and equipment. Furthermore, the demand for automated warehouse practices in the region is expected to bode well for the market growth.

Europe is expected to experience a moderate growth during the forecasted period. This is ascribable to factors such as the growing e-commerce industry, along with the adoption of robotic automation in manufacturing facilities in automotive and other industries.

The Middle East and Africa are expected to show steady growth owing to massive investments in infrastructure development and the rising disposable income in the region.

The material handling machinery in Latin America is anticipated to grow at a slow rate owing to rising construction of automated warehouses, focus of major players to expand its manufacturing facilities across emerging countries, and others.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Major Players Focusing on Expansion Strategies to Strengthen Their Market Positions 

Manufacturers are focusing on adopting various marketing strategies such as collaboration, and merger and acquisition with other logistics solution businesses to attain a considerable position in terms of comprehensive strength. For instance, In March 2017, Toyota Industries Corporation, acquired Vanderlande Industries Holding B.V., which deals with logistic process automation. This acquisition strengthens Toyota Industries materials handling solution business.  Similarly, in April 2019, Daifuku acquired Vega Conveyors & Automation Private Limited in order to expand its manufacturing and distribution business segments within Asia.  

LIST OF KEY PLAYERS PROFILED:

• Liebherr Group (Bulle, Switzerland)


• Manitowoc (Wisconsin, United States)


• Columbus McKinnon Corporation (New York, United States)


• BEUMER GROUP (Beckum, Germany)


• KION GROUP AG (Frankfurt, Germany)


• TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION. (Aichi, Japan)


• Eisenmann SE (Böblingen, Germany)


• Crown Equipment Corporation (Ohio, United States)


• Daifuku Co., Ltd (Osaka, Japan)


• Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (Ohio, United States)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• July 2019 - Godrej Material Handling expanded its existing product portfolio by announcing Godrej RenTRUST equipment that provides solutions to its customers encompassing manpower, machine, fuel, and maintenance. 


• June 2018 -  CapitalWorks acquired C&M Conveyor, which designs & manufactures automatic conveying & material handling systems. The company specializes in the corrugated box industry.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The material handling equipment market research report provides detailed information regarding various insights of the industry. Some of them are growth drivers, restraints, competitive landscape, regional analysis, and challenges. It further offers an analytical depiction of the market trends and estimations to illustrate the forthcoming investment pockets. The market is quantitatively analyzed from 2020 to 2027 to provide financial competency. The information gathered in the report has been taken from several primary and secondary sources.

Report Scope and Segmentation