Jungheinrich is tipping global growth.

The world materials handling equipment market expanded by 5% in the first nine months of 2013, encompassing 752,000 forklifts - compared to 716,300 units in last year's corresponding period, according to Jungheinrich's market intelligence.

However, demand in Europe, Jungheinrich's core market, was 1% lower year-on-year. Western Europe recorded a dip of 3%, while Eastern Europe's market volume grew by 6%. The Asian market expanded by 8%, to which China contributed a gain of 12%. The North American market continued to post strong growth, recording an increase of 11%.

Jungheinrich expects the global economy to post moderate growth until the end of the year. Against this backdrop, the company anticipates that the worldwide materials handling equipment market will record solid growth for 2013 as a whole.

"However, the European market may well remain slightly smaller than last year. Jungheinrich prognosticates that Asia will post a significant rise in market volume for the full year, driven above all by the strong recovery of the Chinese market. The North American market should continue to expand significantly."

In the first nine months of 2013, the Jungheinrich Group generated EUR846 million/USD1.136 billion from new truck business (2012: EUR881 million/USD1.183 billion). Net sales achieved with trucks for short-term hire and used equipment increased by a combined 5% to EUR290 million/USD390 million (2012: EUR277 million/USD372 million). After-sales services contributed net sales, up a good 3% to EUR517 million/USD694 million (2012: EUR500 million/USD672 million).