Wolfgang Degenhard

Last December, editor-in-chief of German logistics magazine dhf-intralogistik, Wolfgang Degenhard, produced dhf's annual world ranking list of forklift manufacturers alone (Forkliftaction.com News #242). He has been co-author since 1999. With the English version released this month, he talks to Forkliftaction.com News in an exclusive interview about his work.

Forkliftaction.com News: When did you become involved in dhf magazine and what are your hobbies?

Degenhard: In the 1970s I studied engineering at the Stuttgart Technical University until I graduated with my Diplom-Ingenieur. Then I worked for many years as a project manager in different storage and conveyor technology companies. In 1977, I did some writing about applications for storage and conveyor technology. In 1996 I started writing freelance and, in 2001, I became editor-in-chief of dhf magazine. In my spare time, I indulge my love of music by playing the bass guitar and singing. I love the blues, rock and roll and oldies.

Forkliftaction.com News: What is the story behind the world ranking list?

Degenhard: The first world ranking list was published in 1980 in the German magazine Fördermittel Journal by Dr Walter Rödig. He started the list because there were ranking lists for other manufacturers but not forklift manufacturers. The first list was small but the market was very interested. So Dr Rödig continued the list with the help of co-authors. In the beginning the information gathering process was very complicated because a lot of companies did not want their information published. My co-operation with Dr Rödig on the world ranking list began in 1999 and I had a lot to learn. The most recent list was produced by me. Dr Rödig is now 85 years old and wanted to conclude his job as an author of the list.

Forkliftaction.com News: Tell us about the process it takes to come up with the ranking list.

Degenhard: Generally we start sending out questionnaires in summer to get financial data, press releases and, importantly, annual reports. Sometimes it gets difficult as some companies, especially smaller ones, do not respond. I receive help from forklift associations, like FEM, JIVA and ITA, and the internet is useful for my research.

Forkliftaction.com News: To your knowledge, how many such lists exist and what sets your list apart?

Degenhard: In Germany there is another world ranking list in the Logistic Journal. Another magazine I heard about, Modern Materials Handling, published in the USA, produces a list, too. Our list is different because our world ranking list table shows individual companies in descending order in terms of sales of materials handling vehicles for the last five years. We show sales and the number of employees of the industrial truck division and of the corporation for the last five years. The main table includes euro values and value date values. The values in euro alone would reflect an inaccurate picture due to the variable exchange rate. We have seven diagrams representing the situation on the industrial truck market. They show the breakdown of deliveries according to continents, industrialised countries, international associations and model types.

Forkliftaction.com News: In the latest list, were there any trends repeated from 2003-04?

Degenhard: The trend from 2003-04 to 2004-05 is that many companies in the industrial truck industry managed to increase turnover in the past fiscal year due to a strong growth in demand.

Forkliftaction.com News: What do you think of the inclusion of newcomers Anhui Heli (17), Hangzhou (19), Tailift (22) and Combilift (25)?

Degenhard: Anhui Heli and Hangzhou are Chinese companies that grew rapidly in the last few years. In Europe we had to learn that these companies exist. They are good manufacturers but, regarding special innovations, own components and, very importantly, a good global service, they need some years to get that under control. Founded in 1998, Combilift is a very new company in Ireland. The Irish have managed to increase turnover almost fivefold in five years. In the year under review alone, Combilift achieved an increase in sales of more than 57 per cent compared to the prior year.

Forkliftaction.com News: How do you see the top 10 rankings changing in five years' time?

Degenhard: That's a hard question and five years is a long time. A lot of things can happen in our global economy. At the moment the "dark clouds over the economy" have parted in many areas. Many companies are speaking positively about themselves, especially after CeMAT 2005 in Hannover. But the risks cannot be overlooked. Competition among manufacturers is set to intensify. Therefore, the orientation of large-scale companies towards the supplier system and the service provider will continue to grow. Jungheinrich is a good example.

Forkliftaction.com News: What can forklift manufacturers do to make your yearly job of compiling this list easier?

Degenhard: That is a very good question. In general, companies are willing to provide information. Most are pleased about being included in the ranking list and often use it for their own market development purposes. But sometimes we have difficulties getting the questionnaires filled. Some companies do not have enough employees to answer the questions in time. On the other hand, some huge corporations do not allow employees to send us information. But every year it works.

Forkliftaction.com News: What do you enjoy most about putting the list together?

Degenhard: It is exciting to hear a manager of the higher level asking in autumn: "What will be the position in the world ranking list this year?" But I can be silent until December.

Click here to download dhf's world ranking list of forklift manufacturers.