The Doc would have to agree 100% with Ed.

OEMs are currently at a point were demand is higher than production so thats usually a positive sign, compared to the last two years where it basically just fell off...

I to consider myself grate full as in the 16 years of turning a wrench I have always had a job and able to make money and have not had to cut back on my life style but I live so far below my means anyways. I have seen guys that make 100k plus a year and are out of work due to thier jobs are not skilled work. One thing about the forklift service industry is there will always be work and is considered a skilled job so not anyone can do it and I think it is one of the industries where we can actually say that. I have seen a noticable increase in customer spending money to fix thier equipment due to the simple fact more product is being moved.

first off, I think we ought to start with a defination of "economic recovery". like the old saying that; "its a recession when your neighbor loses his job and its a depression when I or you lose our job".

I am not yet sure there is going to truly be a recognizable recovery, and I am not sure if I would recognize one if it hit me in the face with a brick. I think I have always considered myself grateful to have a job, any job, and considered any raise I ever got to be "gravy" in a world full of gristle.
At least on this side of the pond, it sure seems like the manufacturer's are not really tooling up for any sort of recovery. but situating them selves and the dealers for a winding down and consolidation.