If you could only use one word to describe the global materials handling sector in 2025, it would surely have to be “uncertainty”.

The geo-political landscape shifted rapidly through the year as new tariffs on imports into the US were imposed, lifted, threatened and changed.

This had a seismic impact on the global economy, creating widespread confusion, uncertainty around investments, leading equipment producers to pursue other markets and resulting in some re-shoring of production back to the US.

At the same time, Chinese materials handling equipment manufacturers have been aggressively expanding their overseas customer bases as they compete for a larger slice of the global market share.

Behind all the geo-political and macro-economic uncertainty, the issues of labour shortages and climbing energy prices continue to both plague the sector and drive innovation which has seen the adoption of automation and electrification continue to grow in our industry.

Here is 2025's biggest news - tariffs, the rise of Chinese manufacturers, automation and AI, product launches, mergers and acquisitions, and decarbonisation and sustainability.

What industry organisations say

Lauren Reed, CEO of MHEDA (Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association) says while industry talk throughout the year centred on topics such as automation, AI, the labour shortage and economic uncertainty, “what felt particularly significant was the shift from ‘what’s possible’ to ‘what’s practical’.”

“Companies increasingly focused on solutions that can be implemented, supported, and scaled reliably, while improving safety, throughput, and the customer experience,” she continues.

“Across the MHEDA membership, 2025 was widely described as a year where companies had to create more value in every customer interaction, and practice patience. Many customers were hesitant to make decisions, but the market wasn’t at a standstill; instead, decision cycles stretched and scrutiny increased. 

“In response, members leaned into stronger discovery, clearer ROI justification, and tighter alignment between sales, operations, and service. Improving customer confidence in solution value and the partnership behind it was, and continues to be, a critical part of getting deals across the finish line.”

Reed pushes back at suggestions the market was quiet in 2025 insisting it was instead “cautious and selective”.

“The most consistent takeaway I hear from the MHEDA community is that this industry is resilient and grounded,” Reed continues. “Even in uncertain periods, companies adapt; they focus on customer outcomes, invest in their teams, and look for smarter ways to compete.”

Clare Bottle, chief executive of the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA), notes the three themes dominating the year were “automation, energy, and land use” - the latter is a particular concern for Europe with such limited space, while automation and energy prices are having a global impact.

“Many operators are investing in robotics and data systems, but progress is uneven, especially for SMEs,” Bottle continues. 

“On the energy side, there’s been huge interest in solar, battery storage, and EV charging. And planning remains a hot topic, with media debate around how to balance logistics growth with environmental and community concerns.”

Bottle adds that the UK’s warehouse sector has shown “remarkable adaptability through turbulent times from Brexit and Covid to cost inflation and energy shocks”. 

“What’s striking now is how the sector is evolving from being a cost centre to being a source of value creation through energy generation, automation, and skills development,” she continues. “Warehousing has become one of the UK’s quiet success stories, and with the right support, it can play an even bigger role in driving productivity and decarbonisation.”

Kelli Nienaber, executive director of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (ELFA), says the CapEx boom in information processing equipment and software, driven by the AI boom, has provided a significant buffer to the negative impacts of tariffs and trade-related uncertainty but is concerned for the future.

“I think most economists would agree that trade has been a headwind to manufacturing activity this year,” she continues. “And will likely remain so over the remainder of the year and into 2026.”

US tariffs

In March, the US Administration started to impose a raft of new tariffs on goods imported into the country, creating a domino effect for the materials handling sector; one which continues to be felt.

Currently there is no one fixed tariff for imports of forklifts and materials handling equipment into the US, with different tariffs imposed on different countries for different goods.

The tariffs have resulted in a loss of confidence reported from those in the market and has seen an impact on sales and revenues for equipment manufacturers.

In August, KION reported an increase in customer demand despite what it labelled as “considerable macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties”, while maintaining its 2025 forecast. But qualified this.

“This assessment of the projected performance of the group and its operating segments is contingent on there being no significant disruption to KION’s supply chains as a result of trade barriers, especially tariffs and restrictions on access to critical commodities,” KION states.

KION’s revenues for the first nine months of 2025 fell 2.8% compared to the same period in 2024 and the company revised down its forecast slightly from between USD11.5 billion and USD13.45 billion to between USD12.79billion and USD13.1 billion.

Hyster-Yale reported its Q3 forklift business results were softer than expected with revenue at USD929.3 million, a 4% decrease year-on-year and 3% fall quarter-on-quarter. In November the company announced it will lower production and is undertaking a cost reduction process where 575 staff will be laid off.

“While the company is deploying significant mitigation strategies, tariffs remain a substantial financial challenge,” Hyster-Yale states. “Persistent uncertainty around future tariff policies makes it challenging to estimate the final impact, which is expected to remain negative through the foreseeable future.”

The tariffs  have had some impact on the re-shoring of manufacturing back to the US - one of the stated aims of imposing them.

In April, Clark Material Handling returned its global headquarters to Texas, after having moved to South Korea in 2003.

UK equipment manufacturer JCB in April also announced it was doubling the size of its US manufacturing plant in Texas - a more than 25% increase on the proposed build before the tariffs were announced.

July saw Hangcha launch its new US subsidiary Hangcha America Smart Logistics (HASL) in Houston, Texas.

The ELFA's Nienaber says investment in material handling equipment performed “reasonably well”, expanding in 14 of the last 15 quarters, on a year-on-year basis at an average of 5%, but tariffs have started to have an impact, but this has “been weaker” more recently.

“While more aggressive industrial policy may lead to some re-shoring over time, we haven’t seen much evidence of this thus far, even as tariffs lead to cost increases for US manufacturers,” Nienaber adds.

The tariffs have had one more effect. In September, two Denver companies and their top executives were charged with defrauding the United States’ government after they allegedly conspired to import forklifts from China and misrepresent their origins to federal agencies buying the forklifts.

“Defrauding the United States to profit from goods made in adversarial nations like China undermines our economic and national security,” US Attorney General Pam Bondi says of the charges.

The rise of Chinese manufacturers globally

A notable development in the sector throughout 2025 has been the increase in the presence of Chinese manufacturers seeking a larger share of international markets.

The LogiMAT event in Germany saw a 43% increase in the number of exhibitors from China this year (87 as opposed to 61 in 2024), while ProMat in the US saw the number of Chinese exhibitors double from 60 in 2023 to 120 this year.

Gene Li, sales manager with Heli, China’s biggest forklift manufacturer, says the company is now looking to “challenge other brands in Europe”.

“We are ready,” Li says. “We have a large focus on the Chinese market, but we are moving into the European market and bringing our equipment not just to the large companies with big fleets, but also smaller companies.”

Jack Yang, vice president of sales with Chinese forklift manufacturer UN Forklift, tells Forkliftaction News that the Chinese domestic market is “really tough” and it is now seeking to establish a stronger presence in Europe and the US.

Amy Lin, director and CEO of Toyota subsidiary Tailift, tells Forkliftaction News Europe is the target market for the company. Its focus, Lin adds, had previously been the US where it has a warehouse in Houston, but is now seeking distributors across Europe.

Automation: from autonomous vehicles to humanoids

Automation continues to be a key area of innovation for the materials handling sector, changing the way our industry operates with increased automation of workflows and processes and the incorporation of more powerful sensors and AI capabilities improving safety and operator visibility.

The ever-improving sophistication of new models of AGVs, AMRs, cobots and smarter humanoids are making it easier for SMEs to integrate automation into their operations.

In its World Robotics 2025 Service Robots report, the International Federation of Robotics states robots are increasingly being used in materials handling applications. The transportation and logistics sector now account for 52% of professional use robots currently being utilised. 

In November, the International Federation of Robotics named Rockwell Automation’s OTTO AMR as its 2025 award winner for innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation.

No wonder there were a large number of new product developments and launches in this area as companies seek to secure a slice of this evolving market.

January:

Chinese robotics innovator Pudu Robotics launched its Pudu D9, a full-sized, bipedal humanoid robot which is capable of performing a wide range of warehouse tasks.

February:

US integrated logistics company ArcBest launch its Vaux Vision 3D perception technology, which uses sensors placed on forklifts handling loads of different shapes and sizes to “streamline the materials handling” process.

Taiwanese provider of power and thermal management solutions, Delta Electronics, launched its new D-Bot series Collaborative Robots (Cobots) into the Indian market at the Elecrama 2025 trade show in India.

March:

US automation and robotics specialist, Scott Technology introduced Nexbot, its AGV designed for warehousing, manufacturing, logistics, and e-commerce applications.

At this year’s LogiMAT event in Germany, a quarter of the 120 new product launches were in the field of field of industrial and service robotics which included six new picking robots, 15 AMRs and carrybots, and nine AGVs.

These included Agile Robots’ ConTrax Forklift AGV which has a load capacity of 1.5T and a lift height of 3m.

Knapp’s Aerobot was named best product of the event.

At ProMAT, new robotics technology manufacturer Agility Robotics introduced us to the upgraded humanoid robot Digit, produced in collaboration with Nvidia. Digit has already been commercially deployed and, Agility Robotics says, could go some way to addressing what it says are more than one million unfilled warehouse jobs across the US.

April:

UK-based tech company Ocado Intelligent Automation launched its new pallet-moving AMR Porter, which features AI capabilities enabling it to modify its operations to cater for different sized pallets in the one environment.

June:

KION unveiled its upgraded Asia-Pacific Automation Centre of Excellence and its new line of handling robots, announcing it will now turn its attention to ramping up investment in R&D, manufacturing and service coverage across the APAC region.

KION Group CEO Rob Smith says the company has leveraged AI-driven solutions as integral to its strategy to optimise both supply chains and productivity.

Linde Material Handling added three new models to its automated forklift range - the Linde K MATIC k VNA turret truck, Linde R-MATIC k reach truck, and the Linde L MATIC AC k counterbalanced pallet stacker with cantilevered forks.

August:

US-based warehouse automation specialists, GreyOrange, announced it is collaborating with Google Cloud to deliver AI-powered solutions to reduce the deployment time of AMRs by up to 80%.

Swisslog launched its new IntraMove AMR series, which have payload capacities up to 3T and are a highly scalable solution where warehouse operations do not need to be modified during operation to introduce new robots.

November:

Linde Material Handling launched its first automated counterbalance forklift, the Linde E-Matic, at its Automation Summit heldGermany, with the new forklift scheduled for release in 2027. It will be trialled with a select group of customers through 2026 who will contribute to its future development.

Indian robotics warehouse automation company Humro (formerly ARAPL RaaS), announced it has received an INR4.13 million (USD466,000) order from a major US-based logistics company for its newly developed Atlas AC2000 autonomous forklift.

Other product launches 

January:

Toyota Material Handling started the year with the launch of its Integrated Mid and Large Electric Pneumatic Forklifts and a “refreshed” Core Electric Forklift series.

Clark expanded its S Series of electric forklifts introducing a new three and four-wheel version. The STE and SE series have a load capacity of 1.6 to 2 T and a maximum lift height of 7 m.

STILL realeased three new materials handling products, which expanded its Xcellence brand. The products released were the EXV 10C-16C pedestrian high lift pallet truck, the EXD 18C-20C double stacker and the EXH-L 16-20 low lift pallet truck.

March:

Bobcat had one of the biggest launches at LogiMAT, unveiling the BNT Series, its first lithium-ion 3-wheel forklifts with load capacities between 1.6T and 2T, and designed for medium-duty applications.

Bobcat also launched its Class 3 warehouse equipment range which included the BPM16/20N-7 pedestrian powered pallet trucks with 1.6T and 2T capacities and the 2T and 2.5T capacity powered pallet trucks with platform. The series also includes the 1.2T and 1.6T capacity BSR12/16N-7 powered platform stacker trucks and the 1.6T capacity BSR16N-7i powered platform stacker truck.

Hubtex launched its automated 35T capacity Phoenix series of multidirectional sideloaders at LogiMAT. The vehicles have optimum manoeuvrability, a highly ergonomic driver's cabin and improved all-round visibility.

Jungheinrich used LogiMAT to showcase its electric AME18 pedestrian pallet stacker which has a 1.8T load capacity and a lift height of 530mm, as well as the electric ETV 316i reach truck which boasts a 1,600kg capacity and a lift height of 10m.

Cascade Corporation launched a number of new products at LogiMAT including the upgraded Sensor Forks C Series, new electric rotator, electric fork positioner and the upgraded all-in-one attachment with weighting side carriage ActivWeigh, which includes the Cascade K-Series Fork Positioner. 

April:

Yale Lift Truck Technologies add to its Yale Reliant portfolio with a pedestrian awareness system which can accurately identify pedestrians at ranges up to 4.9m through a 110-degree field of view.

A number of new products were unveiled at the Bauma International Trade Fair including Palfinger’s prototype of its new middle-seat model truck-mounted forklift and its side-seat FLS 25 electric forklift.

Manitou Group showcased nine new models which included the ME 430 electric forklift, a new ultra-high rotating telehandler and the second prototype of a hydrogen telehandler while Hyster demonstrated its J10-18XD series of electric forklifts, which can be configured according to the requirements of a range of heavy-duty applications.

May:

HD Hyundai XiteSolutions announced it was be the first Korean company to launch medium and heavy-duty electric forklifts on to the market. The new eight-model electric range of forklifts have payload capacities between 4T and 9T, “representing the first release of electric forklifts over 5T by a Korean manufacturer”, HDX states.

Liebherr’s Container Cranes celebrated its 25th anniversary with the rollout of an “enhanced” rubber-tyre gantry (RTG) cranes portfolio which includes five new models, including electric and hybrid models with a variable speed generator option.

The new five base models include the fully electric RTG-CB with a continuous power supply, requiring fixed conductor bar infrastructure and the electric ERTG-CRD with a flexible power feed.

Combilift launched two new products - the Combi-FSE 8000, a four-wheel, 8T, electric side loader; and the Combi Load Xtendr load extender.

Crown launched its  LiDAR-based safety system, ProximityAssist System which automatically slows the forklift when it detects an object in its expected path of travel, while visual and audio alerts are also given.

June:

Konecranes launch its E-Hybrid RTG (rubber-tyred gantry crane) and electric empty container handler to the global market at the TOC Europe 2025 transport and logistics show in Rotterdam.

BSL Battery release what it says is the world’s first “self-protection” forklift lithium battery system with a built-in aerosol fire extinguisher which provides a three second fire extinguishing reaction.

July:

Crown released its pedestrian pallet truck WJ50 Series with the 1.2T capacity model and the 1.5T payload capacity electric pallet jack and Hyster launched its new heavy-duty electric empty container handler, the J6-7XD-EC3/4 series with a lifting capacity between 6T and 7T.

EP Equipment subsidiary EP Brasil launch the EFL302B3 lithium-ion 3T forklift onto the Brazilian market, a machine it says was designed to “democratise” access to advanced materials handling equipment.

Equipment maker Sany introduced its smart fleet and safety management platform, the integrated EVI (equipment visibility intelligence), as standard across its telehandler range.

August:

Linde Material Handling expanded its electric counterbalance forklift series with the launch of seven new vehicles with load capacities up to 2T, including the Linde-Xi-Roadster.

Linde says its Xi14 to Xi20 R (three-wheel) and Xi16 to Xi20 R (four-wheel) models are based on the corresponding standard versions of the new electric forklift truck series with integrated lithium-ion batteries. 

Hangcha launched Breeze, its entry-level electric materials handling range, onto the UK market which included 3 and 4-wheel forklifts and pallet truck.

Toyota Material Handling launched three new electric heavy-duty stackers with load capacities from 2,000 lb. (907kg) to 4,000 lb. (1,814kg) and lift heights up to 189 in. (4.8m).

Raymond Corporation released its first lithium-ion batteries to the market, available in 24V, 36V and 48V options.

September:

Raymond Corporation launched its RBS26-F Stacker, a lithium-ion powered walkie stacker which is compatible with skids, crates, containers and platforms without bottom boards.

MiMA Forklift launched its MFZ16/30 seated reach truck, designed for use in narrow aisle and high-bay storage areas.

At IMHX trade event, Toyota Material Handling UK (TMHUK) released its Traigo48 (3 and 4-wheel) and Traigo-i 3-wheel electric counterbalance forklift models. 

October:

Jungheinrich launched its entry-level materials handling equipment range with the release of its AntOn brand, a strategic partnership between Jungheinrich and EP Equipment.

The European launch of the new brand was held in September with the release of the CBH 2.5 and 3.0 electric forklifts and the PTL 1.5 pallet truck. 

Toyota Material Handling Europe launched its redesigned Toyota Optio L-Series, low-level order picker while Toyota Material Handling expanded its energy solutions portfolio with the release of its new 5/35 lithium-ion battery series.

December:

Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas launched its FBC20Q-FBC40Q series electric forklifts which it says travel at speeds comparable to IC counterparts while Clark Material Handling Company launched its S25-35XE Renegade Lithium Series, a range of electric forklifts.

Notable mergers & acquisitions 

When it came to mergers and acquisitions in 2025, Toyota had a particularly busy year with what it describes as consolidations and the establishment of two new materials handling entities.

In January, in North America, Toyota announced Toyota Material Handling and the Raymond Corporation would operate under the same banner of Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) from April 1.

In October, Japan Industrial Partners entered into an agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to acquire its Mitsubishi Logisnext shares.

In November, Toyota Industries Corporation announced it will establish Toyota Automated Logistics, a brand under which the global names of Vanderlande, Bastian Solutions and viastore Group will all operate across the US and Europe from April 2026.

It was a year of expansion for Chinese manufacturer Hangcha which aggressively expanded with the opening of a sales and rental centre in France, opening a Thai manufacturing facility, establishing a presence in Vietnam, as well as opening new sites in Japan, Malaysia and the Middle East.

Chinese brand Noblelift also expanded in 2025, opening a larger European headquarters in Germany in November, a new tech centre in Milwaukee, naming an exclusive dealer in Saudi Arabia and making its move to acquire its long-term Canadian distributor Noblelift Canada.

Decarbonisation and the move to sustainability 

Sustainability and decarbonisation continue to hold a strong focus for the materials handling sector with businesses keen to meet consumer expectations of low-carbon equipment, production and operations.

January:

Linde Material Handling UK announced there rolling out of its “major sustainability investment program” across 14 depots in the UK, in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint and support customers in achieving the same goal. The initiative includes the introduction of solar systems, energy efficiency solutions and EV charging points at depot locations and, piloting a customer incentive program to encourage the transition to electric vehicles.

May:

Dubai’s DP World, an international logistics provider, says it has successfully finished the initial testing at the Port of Vancouver of its hydrogen fuel cell rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) crane.

June:

French producer Manitou Group was awarded the Drive to Zero Innovation Award for its electric retrofit of a high-lift telehandler which can reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.

California stepped back from its Zero-Emission Forklift (ZEF) regulation which would have forced the phasing out of large spark-ignited forklifts from 2026.

Octiober:

And Toyota’s emissions scandal continues to plague the Japanese manufacturer who confirmed it had settled a class-action lawsuit it was facing in the US from end-users who purchased the forklifts believing they were low emission vehicles. Toyota paid USD299.5 million after Toyota Industries Corporation admitted acknowledged it had cheated when it came to correctly reporting the emissions of some models of forklift spanning more than a decade.

December:

Hangcha completed its largest delivery of hydrogen-fuelled forklifts domestically with 108 sent to an unnamed customer while India’s Vedanta Aluminium established what it says is the world’s largest lithium-ion fuelled forklifts (142) with the deployment of 116 more forklifts.

It has been a very bumpy ride for the global materials handling sector, but it remains resilient and at the forefront of innovations in technology, automation, and decarbonisation.

However, while the unpredictability of US tariffs remains, the ride is unlikely to become much smoother any time soon.

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