The United Kingdom forklift industry has recovered well from the market downturn and bleak outlook of 2001, with strong orders in the third and fourth quarters of 2002, says the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA).

BITA's 2002 report showed the strength of the recovery was such that almost 27,500 forklift orders were placed with principal suppliers during the year, the highest volume ever recorded. About 26,000 orders were recorded in 2001. The previous record year was 2000, with 27,000 units ordered.

Market growth was stronger for counterbalance forklifts, at nine percent, than warehouse trucks, which increased one percent over 2001. More than 15,600 counterbalance forklifts were ordered in 2002, another volume record.

Last year was a record year for LPG-powered counterbalance forklifts, BITA said, with orders exceeding 5,000 units for the first time. LPG forklifts were almost 33 percent of all counterbalance forklifts sold.

Reach trucks also enjoyed a record year, with more than 3,000 orders placed for the first time.

"With a buoyant market, the United Kingdom forklift industry can look forward to 2003 with confidence," the report said.