The British Industrial Truck Association (BITA) says a strong third quarter, which saw 7000 forklifts ordered in the United Kingdom, shows signs of a market recovery. It anticipates 27,000 forklifts will have been ordered in 2002.

The BITA report, released last week, said the United Kingdom market saw more than 15,000 counterbalance forklifts ordered this year.

United Kingdom fuel costs saw the proportion of diesel forklifts sold fall steadily since 1995, from almost 45 percent to 34.2 percent this year. LPG forklifts have taken a growing share of the market, now accounting for 31.5 percent of all counterbalance forklifts sold.

The reach truck market was at a record level, the report said, predicting 2002 would be a record year for reach truck sales, with more than 3000 orders taken.