Top 10 Forklift Manufacturers of 2017

June 5, 2017
Our annual look at the 10 largest global manufacturers of lift trucks ranked by revenue.

Forklifts have been in commercial use for at least 100 years, and they still perform the same basic task of lifting, moving and lowering loads from one spot to another. That being said, the features and capabilities of these industrial trucks continue to evolve, particularly in terms of safety (for the operators as well as pedestrians), ergonomics and alternative fuel sources.

According to the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), the trade group representing lift truck manufacturers, 2015 was the best year in the past 20 years for factory shipments of industrial trucks for Classes I and II vehicles (electric riders) and Class III (motorized hand). It was also the best year since the pre-recession era of 2006 for Classes IV and V vehicles (internal combustion engine). Even so, a survey of lift truck manufacturers conducted by the ITA reveals a trend toward reduction in lift truck fleet size, primarily due to the increased availability of fleet data usage as well as the trucks themselves being more productive and durable. Almost half (47%) the lift truck manufacturers polled believe this trend will continue, while 53% do not.

With the eyes of the world (or at least some of them) on forklifts this month in recognition of National Forklift Safety Day, we again are presenting our ranking of the 10 largest global manufacturers of forklifts as ranked by revenue. These suppliers play an outsized role in providing some of the leading material handling technologies and vehicles used worldwide by companies to manage their warehouses and distribution centers. All financial figures are stated in U.S. dollars, based on the relevant exchange rate as of December 31, 2016. The information was provided by the companies, unless otherwise noted.

About the Author

Dave Blanchard | Senior Director of Content

During his career Dave Blanchard has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. He also serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

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Top 10 Forklift Manufacturers of 2016

June 21, 2016
This slideshow looks at the 10 largest global manufacturers of lift trucks ranked by revenue.