Global demand for conventional materials handling products is set to increase, according to a new study.

World Material Handling Products, a study from industry research firm Freedonia Group, based in Cleveland, Ohio, said global demand for materials handling would increase 4.5 per cent annually through to USD117 billion in 2010.

The report said developing materials handling markets, such as China, India, Turkey, Mexico and Russia, were expected to have strong sales growth and equipment demand.

In general, there was good news for most markets.

"Materials handling equipment demand in Western Europe and Japan will show renewed strength following a period of relatively sluggish gains. Market advances in the US will accelerate. Increases will be fuelled by generally favourable economic conditions and higher income levels, leading to a rise in goods consumption and manufacturing production, boosting materials handling sales as fixed investment activity climbs," the report said.

Up to 2010, the Asia-Pacific region would record the most growth in demand (5.9 per cent), compared with North America (3.6 per cent) and Western Europe (1.7 per cent).

"The US, Japan and Germany are the world's largest producers of materials handling products. Germany and Japan are by far the major net exporters, although China and South Korea are expected to become increasingly important global suppliers."

The report said demand for advanced or automated products, such as robots and automated guided vehicles, would post the best gains.

"These types of products and services can enhance productivity of the materials handling function, and are amenable to integration into larger-scale factory automation and automated warehouse-type environments," it said.

"Conventional materials handling product demand, such as industrial trucks and lifts, conveyors, hoists, cranes and the like, will also improve. Developing countries that are exhibiting rapid industrialisation will register healthy demand for most types of materials handling equipment and systems, both conventional and advanced."

A full copy of the report is available from Freedonia for USD5,300.