The theft of forklifts and construction machinery continues in Mexico, and it is obviously organised crime, or theft by request, as nobody would steal such equipment without having a buyer waiting. In the past 12 months, 14 forklifts and 12 backhoes have been stolen by organised gangs.

Forklift theft occurs in four different ways in Mexico. One is stealing machines from trailers as they go from the border to their destinations; another is by holding up trailers on their way from dealerships to customers; the third is stealing direct from dealerships; and the fourth is by "buying" units with false bank cheques. These thefts usually occur on a Friday, giving the thieves time to disappear.

Consequently, insurance companies have raised deductibles (up to 35%, in one case) and premiums sharply, which is a big issue for carriers, dealers and the industry as a whole.