Materials handling equipment orders are forecasted to grow 2% to 3.5% in 2010, according to the latest Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Forecast released by Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA).

"We are in the middle of a contraction this year, but the worst appears to be over," says Hal Vandiver, MHIA executive vice president of business development. "The decline in new orders is now forecasted to slow slightly in the last quarter of 2009 and hold the total year decline to 35% to 38%. We now believe that growth in the 2% to 3.5% range is possible in 2010."

In addition, materials handling equipment shipments are forecasted to contract 35% in 2009 and 5.5% in 2010. Domestic demand (shipments plus imports less exports) will also contract about 35% in 2009. Exports are forecasted to decline in 2009 and return to growth in 2010. Domestic demand will be down slightly in 2010.

The MHEM forecast of materials handling equipment manufacturing is released each quarter by MHIA and looks 12 to 18 months forward to anticipate changes in the materials handling and logistics marketplace.