Material handling equipment orders grew an estimated 16.3% in 2011 and are forecasted to grow 8.0% to 9.0% in 2012 and 12.0% in 2013, according to the latest Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing Forecast (MHEM) released by Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA).

“Consumers’ and investors’ confidence continues to improve as do unemployment, industrial production activity and factory operating rates (utilization),” said Hal Vandiver, MHIA executive consultant. “All are favorably impacting MHEM. Both Residential and non-residential construction will contribute greatly to positive growth through 2014.”

In addition, material handling equipment shipments grew an estimated 17.7% in 2011 and are forecasted to grow 9.0% in 2012 and 11.0% in 2013. Domestic demand (shipments plus imports less exports) grew an estimated 19.2% in 2011 and will likely mirror shipment growth in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The MHEM forecast of material handling equipment manufacturing is released each quarter by MHIA and looks 12 to 18 months forward to anticipate changes in the material handling and logistics marketplace.