With the growth of automation, like warehouse shuttle systems and AGVs, you would think the days of the humble forklift are numbered. In fact, that's a question we put to executives of Linde at the recent World of Materials Handling exhibition in Germany.
With more than 150 forklift models on display, many of them new, it's clear that Linde doesn't see any reduction in demand. And the management pointed out that forklift sales continue to grow globally, so the market is certainly not shrinking as the competing technologies take hold.
It seems there will continue to be a need for moving heavy loads, and as long as pallets are the lifeblood of logistics, forklifts will play their part. Meanwhile, there's plenty of scope for growth for the other solutions, and suppliers, like Linde's partner, Dematic, will benefit from the e-commerce boom which is seeing the proliferation of smart warehouses.