This week's newsletter includes a couple of stories about port equipment, one of the cornerstones of materials handling growth. Even at the height of the recession, large orders were delivered - partly due to the long lead times on port equipment. But another factor has been growing global freight movements, leading to expansions of port facilities on all continents. So while manufacturing and consumer activity may rise and fall, thank goodness for the port market which has been a mainstay of the equipment sector - and looks set to remain one for some time.