BITA secretary general James Clark

UK forklift orders dropped by 14.5% in 2008, with just over 26,500 new forklift orders placed with British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) members.

This is the lowest quantity since 2001.

The number of new forklifts ordered in the fourth quarter, just over 4,700 units, was the lowest quarterly total since the final quarter of 1993, which was the last major market recession.

According to BITA figures, the global financial crisis only started to affect forklift sales in the third quarter of 2008. About 8,000 orders were placed in the first quarter, 7,500 orders in the second quarter and 6,000 orders in the third quarter followed by a slump to 4,700 for the last quarter.

The figures contrasted with 2007, which was the fourth consecutive year in which over 30,000 forklifts were ordered from UK suppliers.

BITA secretary general James Clark says the latest statistics are disappointing.

"These figures reflect an overall slowdown across the UK and global economies. As one might expect, the forklift market mirrors key industries like manufacturing and sales. Early figures for 2009 do show a continued fall in order levels and it is difficult to predict how quickly the UK forklift market will recover," he says.

However, he adds that the UK forklift industry is resilient and made up of stalwarts who have been in the field for a long time. "Their experience and knowledge will undoubtedly help companies weather the storm," Clark says.

In the final quarter of 2008, reach truck orders fell 20.1%, order for low-level order pickers fell by 16.9% and powered pallet truck orders fell by 11.5%. Overall orders for warehouse trucks fell by 16.1%.

Engine counterbalanced truck orders fell 13.5% and electric counterbalanced truck orders fell 11.2%. Overall orders for counterbalanced trucks fell 12.7%.

UK forklift orders and deliveries are reported monthly by BITA's Truck Suppliers' Group (TSG) members, using exclusive and secure computer software. Aggregated monthly and year-to-date figures are available to contributing TSG members. BITA's Components & Services Group members also receive a monthly statistical overview and can purchase more detailed information.