Global demand for material handling equipment in the third quarter of 2009 experienced a marginal resurgence compared to the prior quarters, according to Jungheinrich AG data.

The world market shrank in size by 45% over nine months, with Asia recording the smallest decrease - a 32% decline. China posted a drop in demand of just 11% while Europe's market volume contracted by 51%, with Eastern Europe accounting for a substantial proportion (-77%) and Western Europe contributing a 44% decline. North America reported a 44% drop in forklift demand.

"The global economy's emergent recovery has not yet directly resulted in a tangible upward movement in the material handling equipment sector's economic development," Jungheinrich says.

The manufacturer expects demand on the world market to shrink by about 40% from 2008's 872,000 units to 520,000 units this year.

It says it will continue to implement measures at its domestic production sites and sales companies in Germany and overseas to cope with the smaller market.