The latest materials handling equipment manufacturing forecast (MHEM) projects US orders increasing 8-9% during 2012 and about 12% in 2013.

That follows 16% growth during 2011, according to the forecast from the Charlotte-based Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) trade association.

"Consumers' and investors' confidence continues to improve, as do unemployment, industrial production activity and factory operating rates (utilisation)," says Hal Vandiver, MHIA executive consultant. "All are favourably impacting MHEM. Both residential and non-residential construction will contribute greatly to positive growth through 2014."

The report says materials handling equipment shipments grew an estimated 17.7% in 2011 and are forecast to grow 9% during 2012 and 11% in 2013. Domestic demand - equating to shipments plus imports less exports - grew an estimated 19.2% in 2011 and is expected to mirror shipment growth in 2012, 2013 and 2014, according to the report.

MHIA releases the MHEM forecast quarterly and looks 12-18 months forward to anticipate changes in the material handling and logistics marketplace. The MHEM effort covers more than USD30 billion or approximately 15-20% of the association's estimate for US material handling consumption of nearly USD165 billion. Categories include industrial truck, tractor, trailer and stacker machinery; conveyors and conveying equipment; overhead travelling cranes, hoists and monorail systems; and other materials handling equipment.