The top 39 materials handling companies

Another Chinese company has made its debut on the dhf-intralogistik's annual world ranking of materials handling manufacturers.

Chinese-based EP Equipment started manufacturing forklifts two-and-half years ago and in 2007 sold 25,000 vehicles to achieve a turnover of USD1.6 million. It has debuted at 24 on the list.

Last year, Baoli appeared on the list for the first time (Forkliftaction.com News #342) and has moved from 31 to 26.

The 2007/2008 list features 39 materials handling companies, one fewer than in 2006/2007. German company Genkinger-Hubtex slipped off the latest ranking list.

Toyota heads the list again with a turnover of EUR4.9billion (USD6.3 billion), up from EUR4.8 billion (USD7.08 billion) in 2006/2007. Kion achieved second place again this year with a turnover of EUR4.3 billion (USD5.5 billion) up from EUR4.02 billion (USD5.89 billion) in sales.

Komatsu moved up one place to eighth, recording an annual turnover of EUR1.09 billion (USD1.14 billion) - up from EUR851million (USD1.09 billion) in 2006/2007.

Irish forklift producer Combilift and German materials handling specialist Hubtex continued their climb up the rankings, moving from 23 to 22 and 25 to 23 respectively.

US-based Crown Equipment Corp's slip from sixth to seventh reflects the effects of the fluctuations in exchange rates.

Wolfgang Degenhard, editor of dhf, says the rankings reflects an increase in turnover and the number of units sold for 2007/2008 but he questions whether this will continue into the future.

Companies need to turn over a minimum of EUR10.2 million (USD13 million) to be included in the list. Degenhard says the vast majority of worldwide materials handling manufacturers are not mentioned as result of this criterion.

The largest manufacturers were: Toyota, Kion, Jungheinrich, Nacco, Mitsubishi, Cargotec, Crown, Komatsu, Manitou and Nissan.

Click here to view the 2007/2008 world ranking list