The 2016 forklift manufacturer ranking

Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG) has retained its top ranking in the annual forklift market analysis by DHF magazine.

The latest ranking comes against a backdrop of increasing global orders for equipment, with 1,099,880 units ordered in 2015 - up from 1,088,366 in 2014, according to World Industrial Truck Statistics (WITS).

Europe saw a rise from 344,533 to 373,321 industrial trucks, while the rise was smaller in the Americas (267,716 to 277,542). The African market dwindled and Australia/Oceania largely stagnated.

In Asia, orders of industrial trucks fell from 438,327 to 413,777, with a strong decrease in China pulling the region down.

In its comments on the current ranking, DHF notes that top-ranked Toyota's turnover rose 8.6% in Yen and 13.4% in Euros. The company sold 239,000 units in FY 2015, up 7.7% from 222,000 in the previous year. TMHG increased its turnover in Europe, North America and Japan, compensating for weaker sales in China.

Developments in the group included the August 2015 acquisition of the forklift division of Tailift.

The Kion Group, still in second position in the ranking, increased its net turnover by 9% in 2015. The company claims 15% marketshare - up from 14.2% in 2014. Kion's strongest gains were in Asia, with sales up 11.4%, followed by Western Europe (9.2%).

Jungheinrich AG, with its best annual turnover result to date, retains third place. Revenue rose 10.3% from the previous year, while profit was up 9.5%. Jungheinrich generated 89% of its turnover within Europe. Incoming orders rose by 13.4% to 97,100 units.

The company's current performance should reflect further growth in the wake of the January 2016 joint venture with Anhui Heli Co, with the magazine noting the combination of Jungheinrich's global expertise in the rental business and Heli's extensive sales and service network in China.

Crown Equipment Corporation climbed from fifth to fourth place in the rankings, having increased its turnover by 5.6% to USD2,640 million. Crown strengthened its market position in Europe, partly due to the expansion of its range of counterbalance forklift trucks.

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling dropped a position to number five, after a 6.8% decline in turnover to USD2,578 million. Over the course of the second and third quarters of 2016, Hyster-Yale Group acquired 100% of the shares in Bolzoni SpA, a company that is based in Casoni di Podenzano, Italy, which manufactures accessory equipment, forks and lifting tables.

Also losing ground was sixth-placed Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift Co., which saw a 6.8% revenue slump, although profit rose 9.4%. In the reporting year, the company sold 60,752 units - up from 58,186 the previous year.

On 31 March 2016, Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift and parent company MFET completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Unicarriers Holdings Corporation. MFET holds 65% and Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift 35% of the shares in Unicarriers, which is operated as an affiliate of the company.

In financial year 2015, the Cargotec Group of Finland increased its turnover for the second year in a row to come in at number seven. Net turnover rose 11.1%, while its net profits almost doubled. Its Kalmar division managed a 19% jump in incoming orders.

Eighth place went to Unicarriers Corporation, which increased its net turnover by 4.8%. The company, which combines the Atlet, TCM and Unicarriers brands under one roof, once again experienced growth in the third year following its establishment.

The Manitou Group, headquartered in Ancenis (France), reported an increase in its turnover for the second year in a row. Sales rose 3.3%, while profit was up 6.7%. Manitou, ranked ninth, claims to be the worldwide market leader in respect of all-terrain materials handling machines and manufactures five brands: Manitou, Gehl, Mustang, Loc and Edge. At the end of 2015, the Manitou Group established LMH Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary specialising in warehousing technology.

China's Anhui Heli Co. was the only Chinese manufacturer in the top 10, but recorded significant losses after two years of growth. Its net turnover fell 15.3% in its local currency, but only 0.5% in Euros. The company sold 74,392 industrial trucks in 2015, compared to 82,783 in 2014.

Asian manufacturers took the next five positions in the rankings: Clark Material Handling at number 11, Hangcha Group Company Ltd (12th), Komatsu Ltd. (13th), Doosan Corporation Industrial Vehicle (14th) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (15th).

The full ranking can be downloaded here.