Has the market bottomed? Clearly, knowing when the upswing is about to begin is crucial and those companies that get the timing right will start preparing for growth in time to catch the wave. Unfortunately, in Europe, there are warnings that the pain may not yet be over and materials handling could actually face a second dip.
The uncertainty makes it more important than ever to be in tune with the market and perhaps the best way is by listening to customers. Knowing when they plan expansions or retractions can provide some insight into the state of play. The uncertainty puts dealers at the forefront since they have direct access to the market and can act as a conduit between customers and manufacturers.
There's no doubt that market intelligence is more vital than ever - and we'll do what we can to shed light wherever possible.