There are some optimistic predictions for the year ahead in this week's news. Lifting solutions provider Manitex International is tipping growth as an anticipated replacement cycle kicks in. The company this week reported an impressive 191% profit increase for the past year, based on a 44% rise in sales.
Meanwhile, the world's biggest forklift manufacturer, Toyota, is looking for 7% growth this year, aiming to shift 192,000 forklifts globally in 2013.
Of course, one swallow does not a summer make, and a couple of positive results do not necessarily mean trading conditions are back to normal. But each week, we are seeing more signs of the resilience of the materials handling sector.