-
Why cleanliness is key to a good operating warehouse - 1 day ago
-
VISIONTRACK SEES GROWING DEMAND FOR VIDEO TELEMATICS - 1 day ago
-
Energy Predictions for 2023: On-site generation, energy optimisation and a renewed commitment to net-zero are key in 2023 - January 26, 2023
-
RESILINC WARNS UK BUSINESSES TO STRENGTHEN SUPPLY CHAINS IN FACE OF CHINA DISRUPTION - January 26, 2023
-
Twinco Capital raises $12 million led by Quona Capital to expand its next-gen supply chain finance platform - January 24, 2023
-
How to Protect Your Logistics Business During a Recession - January 23, 2023
-
SKANDI 360° powered by MIXMOVE - January 23, 2023
-
The rise of the intelligent warehouse - January 23, 2023
-
Holmen selects TimberTec, an Iptor company, as its SaaS-based timber ERP partner - January 20, 2023
-
Dynamic New Jungheinrich Partnership Helps Kammac Achieve Industry-Leading Agility - January 19, 2023
Strong UK forklift truck sales growth bucks uncertain economic trend.
BITA’s latest forklift truck Market Index has plenty of grounds for optimism
BITA’s forklift truck Market Index shows that sales for trucks rose by 6% in the first half of 2017, recovering from a dip in 2016.
So far, 2017 has seen two quarters of growth with annualised sales in June of 32,189 units. BITA Secretary-General James Clark commented: “Despite the uncertain economic environment, forklift sales seem to have begun their recover from the downturn seen during H2 of 2016, particularly in the retail distribution sector.”
Downward trends in consumer spending have contributed to the continued fall in sales for forklifts for wholesale distribution (down 9.7%), but sales into the retail distribution sector have seen a large spike in demand (up 35.7% over the last 12 months) exceeding the year-on-year growth in online shopping.
Manufacturing remains the largest single sector user of industrial trucks and has seen a slight increase in market share with industry now making up over a third (34.9%) of sales. The increased output of UK manufacturing towards the end of 2016 helped the improving picture after a downturn in Q3.
Commenting on the role of forklifts within the UK economy James Clark said: “The economic mood has seemed increasingly uncertain with a number of factors casting doubt over UK growth. Despite this, forklifts continue to be in demand, fulfilling their role as enablers of business growth and supporters of the UK economy.”