Wolfgang Degenhard

Wolfgang Degenhard, editor of dhf-intralogistik magazine, has helped Dr Walter Rödig put together the annual world ranking list of forklift manufacturers since 1999 (Forkliftaction.com News #242). This year, Rödig retired from his work of compiling the list and Degenhard is now the single author of the list. Forkliftaction.com News will publish the English version of the list and an exclusive interview with Degenhard next month. Here's a special preview of our interview with him.


Forkliftaction.com News: Mr Degenhard, how many world ranking lists of forklift manufacturers are there and what sets your list apart?

Degenhard: In Germany there is another world ranking list in the Logistic Journal. They started when Dr. Rödig went to the dhf-intralogistik magazine. Another magazine I heard about, called Material Handling, published in the USA, produces a list too. Our list is different because our world ranking list table shows the individual companies in descending order in terms of sales of materials handling vehicles for the last five years. We show the sales and the number of employees of the industrial truck division and of the corporation for the last five years. The main table not only includes the euro values but also the value date values. The values in euro alone would reflect an inaccurate picture due to the variable exchange rate. We have seven diagrams representing the situation on the industrial truck market. They show the break down of deliveries according to continents, industrialised countries, international associations and model types.

Forkliftaction.com News: Do you have any comments about the newcomers to the list for 2004/05?

Degenhard: Anhui Heli and Hangzhou are Chinese companies, which grew rapidly in the last few years. So we in Europe had to learn that these companies exist. I think, they are good manufacturers, but regarding special innovations, own components and - very important - a good global service, they need some years to get this under control. Founded in 1998, Combilift is a very new company in Ireland. The Irish have managed to increase their turnover almost fivefold within five years. In the year under review alone, Combilift achieved an increase in sales of over 57 per cent compared to the prior year.

Forkliftaction.com News: How do you see the top 10 rankings changing in five years' time?

Degenhard: That's a hard question and five years is a long time. A lot of things can happen in our global economy. At the moment the "dark clouds over the economy" have parted in many areas. Many companies are speaking positively about themselves, especially after CeMAT 2005 in Hannover. But the risks cannot be overlooked. Competition among the manufacturers is set to intensify. Therefore, the orientation of the large-scale companies towards the supplier system and the service provider will continue to grow. Jungheinrich is a good example.

Be sure to look out for the full interview next month!