Forklift truck sales lifted by manufacturing recovery

In the year to June 2011, BITA members reported sales of just over 24,000 units, up 25% from the same period last year. This increase was reflected across both warehouse and counterbalance truck sales, which both saw rises of 25%. Warehouse truck sales rose to 12,400 units in the year to June, bolstered by strong demand from retailers and 3PLs. Orders for low-level order pickers – considered the signature truck of the large warehouse – increased by two thirds over the year. Sales of counterbalance trucks reached almost 12,000 units in the same period. Of these, 36% were diesel powered, 34% electric and 30% LPG. David Miller (pictured), chair of BITA's statistics committee, said: "While economic indicators suggest the odds are shortening on the likelihood of the UK entering a double-dip recession, for now at least the forklift truck market appears to be fighting back after 18 months of sharp recession." He added: "More positive growth for the UK manufacturing sector also led to a strong increase in demand for counterbalance trucks in the UK over the first six months of 2011." James Clark, secretary-general of BITA, said: "Based on what we have seen from the first half of 2011, we have high expectations that by the end of 2011 the market will exceed our full-year prediction of 25,000 units sold." "After 18 months of continuous recovery, the forklift market has now climbed halfway back to its pre-recession high of 32,000 unit orders per year." BITA represents 73 organisations including forklift truck manufacturers, dealers and service providers. The association is the sole provider of industrial truck sales statistics, provided to members every month and published twice a year.