The global material handling equipment market size was estimated at USD 213.35 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 350.21 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030. This growth is primarily driven by rapid industrialization across emerging and developed economies, along with the increasing demand for automation in material handling processes. Industries are progressively adopting advanced equipment to improve operational efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and enhance productivity, which is expected to support market expansion over the forecast period.

The initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the warehousing industry, as the movement of goods—particularly non-essential products—was significantly disrupted and, in many cases, came to a near standstill. Furthermore, the material handling equipment market was adversely affected during the early phase of the pandemic due to a sudden decline in sales caused by global labor shortages and a sharp drop in overall demand. However, the gradual recovery of industrial operations and supply chains has contributed to renewed market momentum.

The growth of private investment in industrial equipment and machinery reflects the strength of the U.S. economy and is expected to stimulate activity across major downstream industries such as manufacturing and wholesaling. As investments in industrial equipment and machinery continue to increase, a corresponding rise in demand for material handling equipment is anticipated, given its critical role in supporting efficient industrial and commercial operations. Additionally, the market is expected to witness accelerated development due to increasing awareness regarding worker safety, growing requirements for effective bulk material management, and the rising adoption of Industry 4.0 practices supported by greater use of Internet of Things technologies. The increasing focus on reducing operational downtime and improving overall supply chain efficiency is further expected to drive demand for material handling equipment.

The growing adoption of automation, combined with continuous technological advancements, has led to the establishment of fully automated industrial facilities in several developed countries. Moreover, ongoing efforts to modernize industrial facilities and infrastructure to enhance production capacity are anticipated to further propel the growth of the material handling equipment market. The e-commerce application segment is expected to experience significant development during the forecast period, driven by factors such as the increasing penetration of online shopping platforms, the presence of large-scale online retailers, and expanding logistics infrastructure. This trend is encouraging warehouse operators to integrate efficient and advanced material handling equipment within their facilities to effectively manage complex supply chain operations and meet rising consumer demand.

Key Market Trends & Insights:

• The Asia Pacific region dominated the material handling equipment market and accounted for a revenue share of 35.7% of the global market in 2021. This strong market position can be attributed to rapid industrialization, expanding manufacturing activities, and significant investments in infrastructure development across major economies in the region. The presence of large-scale logistics hubs, growing e-commerce operations, and increasing adoption of automated material handling solutions have further contributed to the region’s market dominance.

• By product, the cranes and lifting equipment segment dominated the market and accounted for over 35.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. The leading position of this segment is driven by its widespread use across industries such as construction, manufacturing, mining, and shipping. Cranes and lifting equipment play a critical role in handling heavy loads and improving operational efficiency, which has supported their strong demand globally.

• By application, the e-commerce segment led the market and accounted for over 20.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. The growth of this segment is primarily supported by the rapid expansion of online retail platforms, increasing consumer preference for fast and reliable deliveries, and the rising need for efficient warehouse and distribution operations. As a result, e-commerce companies are increasingly investing in advanced material handling equipment to streamline order fulfillment and optimize supply chain performance.

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Market Size & Forecast:

• 2021 Market Size: USD 213.35 Billion

• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 350.21 Billion

• CAGR (2022-2030): 5.7%

• Asia Pacific: Largest market in 2021

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

The market for material handling equipment is highly consolidated and marked by intense competition among a limited number of established players. To maintain and strengthen their competitive positions, vendors are increasingly focusing on a combination of organic and inorganic growth strategies. These strategies include product launches, technological innovations, partnerships, acquisitions, and expansions of product portfolios, all aimed at meeting evolving customer requirements and sustaining market presence.

For instance, in April 2021, Toyota Material Handling launched Mole and Mouse Automated Guided Carts (AGCs). These solutions are designed to enable customers to automate repetitive operational tasks across various environments, including assembly lines, distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. By offering flexible and efficient automation capabilities, the product helps organizations improve productivity, reduce manual labor dependency, and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Similarly, in July 2020, Vanderlande Industries B.V., a leading provider of logistics process automation solutions, introduced HOMEPICK, a goods-to-person (GtP) picking solution. This product complements the company’s automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) and is specifically designed to support the fulfillment of online grocery orders. HOMEPICK enhances picking efficiency and accuracy, enabling faster order processing and improved customer satisfaction in e-commerce and retail logistics operations.

Key Players

• BEUMER GROUP

• Daifuku Co., Ltd.

• Honeywell International, Inc.

• KION GROUP AG

• Mecalux, S.A.

• Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

• SSI SCHAEFER

• Swisslog Holding AG

• TOYOTA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION

• Vanderlande Industries B.V.

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Conclusion:

The material handling equipment market is expected to continue expanding steadily due to increasing industrialization, growing focus on automation, and rising demand for efficient supply chain operations. While the COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted market activity, ongoing investments in modern industrial infrastructure and greater awareness of worker safety and productivity are supporting long-term growth. Adoption of automated solutions and the expansion of e-commerce operations are also key trends driving greater use of advanced material handling systems across manufacturing and logistics sectors.