MHI Predicts Up to 9% Growth for 2014 and 2015 | Industry News

Material handling equipment new orders grew 8.8% in 2013 and are forecasted to grow 8% to 9% for 2014 and 2015, according to the latest Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Forecast (MHEM) released by MHI.

In addition, material handling equipment shipments grew 7.8% in 2013 and are forecasted to grow 4.5% to 5% in 2014 and 9% to 11% in 2015. Domestic demand (shipments plus imports less exports) grew 8.3% in 2013 and are forecasted to grow just over 4.5% to 6% in 2014 and 11% in 2015.

Import growth in 2013 was 3.9%, down from 17.9% in 2012. Export growth was flat in 2013, down from 12.4% in 2012. MHEM Imports are forecasted to grow 6% in 2014 and 9.0% in 2015. Exports are expected to rebound modestly beginning mid-2014 to grow 4% and continue to grow in 2015 around 6%.

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