 Wolfgang Degenhard, dhf-intralogistik's former chief editor, authored the ranking list. |
The top three forklift manufacturers remain unchanged in dhf-intalogistik's latest world ranking list of industrial truck makers, while Chinese manufacturers are approaching the Top 10
(Forkliftaction.com News #499).
Toyota Industries Corp of Japan remains the world leader, with sales of materials handling vehicles amounting to EUR4.172 billion (USD5.452 billion) in the 2010/11 financial year. In that financial year, Toyota sold over 153,000 units in its materials handling division - a 38% increase from the previous year.
Number two, KION Group GmbH of Wiesbaden, Germany, increased net sales by 14.6% to EUR3.534 billion. Sales revenues were distributed across its major brands - Linde Material Handling, EUR2.254 billion (+17%); Still, EUR1.245 billion (+14%); and OM, EUR202 million (+6%).
Third on the list is another German manufacturer, Jungheinrich AG of Hamburg. Jungheinrich's sales of industrial trucks totaled EUR1.653 billion (USD2.160 billion) while total group sales were EUR1.816 billion (USD2.373 billion). The company not only manufactures and sells forklifts, but develops logistics systems and services.
Americans NACCO Industries Inc and Crown Equipment have swapped places, with NACCO coming in fourth with forklift sales totaling USD1.802 billion, while Crown came a close fifth with sales of USD1.8 billion.
Japanese players Nissan and Komatsu also exchanged rankings this year, with former 10th-placed Nissan now at number nine.
Chinese companies Heli and Hangcha, which were 14th and 15th placed respectively, are now 11th- and 12th-placed. With the rise of these two companies, Japanese and South Korean manufacturers like Nichiyu, TCM and Doosan have dropped a few places on the list. Meanwhile, former 22nd-placed Chinese company EP Equipment is now in 20th place.
Another Chinese company - Hytsu Group - debuts on the list after the dhf editorial team succeeded in establishing contact with the group. Two other Europeans join the list - Baumann in Italy, which has not featured in the ranking list since 2003/04, and Bulmor in Austria, a new company belonging to the Terra Group.
Italian company Nuova Detas SpA requested that its data not be published and so has been left out of the list. Spanish company Ausa failed to respond to dhf's requests for information and so was also struck off the list.
Click here to view the list.