Orders for material handling equipment increased by 22% in 2010, and they’re predicted to increase another 11-12% in 2011 and 2012, according to the Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Forecast (MHEM) released by Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA, www.mhia.org).
"Industrial production activity is increasing and factory operating rates, or utilization, are rapidly improving as demand is shifting from recovery mode to near normal levels," says Hal Vandiver, MHIA executive consultant. "MHEM will benefit from demand for more efficient use of capacity in warehousing, distribution and manufacturing in the near term and expanding residential and non-residential building sectors in late 2012 and early 2013."
In addition, shipments of material handling equipment grew by 6% in 2010, and they’re forecasted to grow another 12-13% in 2011 and 2012. Domestic demand, shipments plus imports less exports, grew amost 4% in 2010. Domestic demand will likely be similar to shipment growth in 2011, and exports should be stronger than imports in 2011.
The MHEM forecast of material handling equipment manufacturing is released each quarter by MHIA and looks 12-18 months forward to anticipate changes in the material handling and logistics marketplace. The MHEM represents more than $20 billion or approximately 12-15% of the estimated $156 billion U.S. material handling consumption. The MHEM history and forecast is available in its entirety to MHIA members. It includes economic specifics on conveyors and conveying equipment; overhead traveling cranes, hoists and monorail systems; industrial truck, tractors, trailers and stacker machinery; and other material handling equipment.
Ingersoll Rand's CLK-Series air chain hoists operate 800 full-load hours between overhauls
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Raymond's Models 9300 and 9400 sideloaders feature AC drive and AC lift
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Kinetic Technologies' rotational pick and delivery carts feature a four-shelf design with 1,500-pound total capacity
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Force Control's MagnaShear motor brake features oil shear technology
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Rytec's Plexline door series is engineered for corrosive environments
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Teklynx Labelview 9 software allows users to create labels, bar codes and encode RFID tags
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Pepperl+Fuchs' PosiTrack PCV Data Matrix Positioning System uses data matrix technology to solve linear feedback applications
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NES Rentals' E-Z Up lift is designed to fit into confined areas
NES Rentals' E-Z Up lift is designed to fit into confined areas and features a platform height of 9 feet 6 inches and an overall width of 2 feet 5 inches. Users can drive it through standard doors without leaving the platform.
Crown Equipment's internal combustion Class V pneumatic tire forklift is designed to eliminate frequent maintenance and excessive downtime
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Toyota Material Handling's integrated scale allows for simultaneous weighing and transportation of loads
Toyota Material Handling's integrated scale is available on 4,000- to 5,000-lb. internal combustion, cushion tire lift truck models. The Toyota integrated scale is engineered to enable operators to view, record or transfer legal-for-trade load weight information as the load is being transported through the facility.
Powerblanket's wrap-around tote heaters utilize GreenHeat Technology
Powerblanket’s wrap-around tote heaters utilize GreenHeat Technology to create a barrier of heat around the tote. GreenHeat Technology is a heat spreading system that is designed to provide an efficient and uniform distribution of heat while only consuming low levels of energy.
Bosch Rexroth's TS5 transfer system is designed for transport of loads up to 660 lbs.
The TS5 transfer system from Bosch Rexroth's Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies group is designed for harsh production environments and transport of loads up to 300 kg (660 lb.). Rexroth's TS5 conveyors feature a drive system and a “king shaft” powered roller design that requires no lubrication.
Presto Lifts' hydraulic load leveler allows goods to be loaded and unloaded at the same height
Presto Lifts' hydraulic load leveler is designed for use in the manual loading and unloading of pallets. Its platform lowers to floor height so that pallets can be placed and removed using a hand pallet truck. In loading operations, a pallet is placed on the platform and the platform is raised by hydraulic power to its full “up” position.
Gates' Poly Chain GT Carbon synchronous belts are offered in longer lengths
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Yale's ERC-VA electric lift truck consumes less energy
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Visual Workplace's Floor-Mark is an alternative to tape and paint for marking floors
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