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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Introduction and definition of the forklift market
Forklifts are self-propelled machines designed for lifting and transferring loads in factories and warehouses. This market is actually one segment of the materials handling equipment market, mainly used in intralogistics, industry and construction. Handling equipment also refers to all logistical machines and tools used for transporting or supporting loads requiring physical effort. The materials handling equipment rental market covers all rental services for forklift trucks, hand trucks, pallet trucks, etc.
This market is particularly dependent on the economic climate, especially in view of its main outlets. Indeed, activity in this market is clearly correlated with the level of activity in the industrial and logistics markets, as well as in the public works, construction, events, automotive and aeronautics industries, among others. Moreover, this market in France has experienced a number of shocks over the past two decades. Faced with stagnating sales in the 1990s, the main forklift manufacturers turned to long-term rental (LLD). This trend continues today, with incumbent manufacturers developing new networks. It is estimated that over 60% of equipment delivered to the market each year is destined for long-term rental.
The industrial forklift market can be divided into 3 main categories: thermal forklifts (diesel or gas), electric forklifts and electric warehouse trucks, mainly for logistics platforms.
There is also a category of all-terrain telescopic forklift-trucks (Manitou, JCB, Caterpillar brands) whose users are mainly construction companies. This market is not covered by this study
The forklift market is an extremely dynamic professional market. Assuming a lifespan of around 10 years, the French rotating equipment market is estimated at between 600,000 and 800,000 units. After a sharp fall in 2020, the market rose sharply in 2023 to around 100,000 units (source DLR).the market is dominated by 5 global groups: the German Kion Group with the Linde, Still and Fenwick brands, the German Jungheinrich Group, the Japanese Toyota Group, the Japanese Logisnext Group with the Mitsubishi and Caterpillar Lift Truck brands, and the American Hyster-Yale Group. Numerous distributors and rental companies distribute, rent and maintain equipment. The major groups are buzzing with mergers, acquisitions and partnerships, proof that the market is attracting a great deal of interest.
According to the Rental Association (DLR), the market for forklift trucks has grown very slightly over the past 10 years, but electric forklift trucks are enjoying steady growth, while combustion-powered forklift trucks are stagnating. At the same time, electric forklift trucks are growing rapidly, driven by the construction of new logistics platforms. The proportion of electric forklifts in the French fleet has risen from 38% in 2001 to 55% in 2018. by way of comparison, in Germany, the trend is similar, with the share of electric trucks rising from 46% to 59% over the same period.
Growth levers now seem to lie in intralogistics automation - as witnessed by the many alliances between forklift truck manufacturers and robotics players (Toyota has acquired Vanderlande, a specialist in baggage handling for airports, Kion has acquired the American company Dematic, and Logisnext owns the AGV manufacturer Rocla - and electric forklifts in response to new French regulations. Today's market development is reflected in the coexistence of numerous forklift ranges, with payload capacities generally ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 tonnes for the core market.this diversity is also reflected in lifting heights (over 10 meters for some models), lifting capacities in excess of 10 tonnes, power sources (gas, diesel, electric, hydrogen), and so on. Forklift trucks in France, mainly gas-powered, are moving towards electric power. According to one industry expert, more electric forklifts are now sold than gas or diesel forklifts
1.2 A fast-growing global market
A forklift truck is an industrial vehicle with an attached fork device that can be lowered or raised to be inserted under a load to move or lift it. It is used to transport and lift heavy objects for operations in industrial facilities, warehouses, distribution centers and outdoor environments. The global ...
1.3 Forklift market dynamics in France
According to the Syndicat des Équipements pour Construction, Infrastructures, Sidérurgie et Manutention (***).
Breakdown of forklift sales, by product category France, ****, in Source: ****
The market for new forklift truck deliveries in France in**** was therefore around *** million eurosof which*** millionfor thermal front ends,*** million forfor electric front-loaders and*** million forfor warehouse ...
1.4 Foreign trade
To analyze foreign trade, we're looking at international trade in self-propelled industrial trucks, with lifting devices for heights >= * m (***).
The following graphs show that France's trade balance for this type of product has gone from strongly positive in ****, to negative in ****(***).
Exports of self-propelled industrial trucks, with lifting device to a ...
1.5 The COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-** crisis has led to a sudden halt in the production of construction equipment, and to the permanent or temporary closure of construction sites. The Manitou Group, one of the leading players in the telescopic forklift market, is a prime example of the difficulties facing the sector. Manitou reported sales ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Demand segments
Since the **s, the market has shifted from purchase to long-term rental. Today, long-term leasing accounts for over **% of equipment delivered to the French market every year. If we consider only large industrial companies, they lease around **% of the handling equipment they use.
For many market players, renting materials handling equipment ...
2.2 The construction sector: once a buoyant segment, now of more limited interest to forklift trucks
Handling on a construction site includes unloading materials, transporting them to work areas, storing them, and loading debris for disposal. These tasks often require the use of lifting equipment such as forklifts, cranes and other specialized machinery. The main worksites likely to require the presence of forklift trucks are as ...
2.3 Logistics sector drives demand
The logistics sector is a natural outlet for the forklift truck market. The number of distribution platforms is multiplying throughout France, and the crisis has given a strong boost to e-commerce and the whole parcel distribution logistics sector.
In ****, *.* billion items (***) were distributed in France or exported, generating revenues of **.* billion ...
2.4 Trends in other main forklift market outlets
In addition to the logistics sector, the forklift market also includes the event industry, supermarkets and all industries the aeronautics industry in particular, which is growing strongly despite the violent crisis it has undergone.
- The events sector
The events market, which covers activities linked to the organization of trade fairs, ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Value chain
Below is a simplified value chain for the sector:
3.2 Forklift production and workforce
The forklift market is shared by a very small number of players.According to one industry expert, four global forklift manufacturers account for almost **% of the French market. While the main player in France remains the Kion group (***), Crown and Hyster Yale.
In France, German production remains dominant. The Kion group ...
3.3 Distribution
Distribution channels are not very diversified, and focus mainly on network integration or distribution by a few independent players.
The world's leading manufacturers (***) to find distributors to penetrate the French market.
Integrated networks control around **% of the market. Only two of the world's leading manufacturers use independent distribution channels: the Mitsubishi ...
3.4 Facing up to distribution, the rise of forklift rental
For many market players, renting materials handling equipment offers a number of advantages over buying. Among these advantages, Avesco Rent (***) cites flexibility, less capital tied up, lower insurance premiums, and so on. In addition, companies that rent material handling equipment can have access to the right equipment for the job, while ...
3.5 Market concentration calls into question the role of dealers
- Customer concentration If forklift manufacturing and rental distribution are highly concentrated, so too is demand. Indeed, according to one industry expert, major accounts- i.e. large national companies with several sites in France - account for almost **% of rental demand (***). this clientele naturally prefers large national players, capable of satisfying their ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 The preponderance of price criteria and the development of new services in the rental segment
According to Supply Chain Magazine, until the crisis of ****-****, the forklift rental market in France focused on a clash of technical specificities. Today, however, the commercial battle has evolved as a result of two trends: the homogenization of forklift performance, and the reduction in customers' equipment budgets. As a result, ...
4.2 Price is a determining factor in this highly competitive market
According to one industry expert, the short-term rental segment generates particularly high margins compared to other distribution modes (***). On average, margins on short-term leasing are between ** and **%, while those onlong-term leasing are closer to **-**%, and **% for sales. Margin levels depend largely on the quality of after-sales service, depreciation methods and ...
4.3 A strong dependence between price and cart capacity
The front-end forklift market covers a wide range of equipment. The value of front-mounted forklifts ranges from around €**,*** for the smallest in capacity to over €***,*** for large-capacity forklifts over ** tonnes and harbor trucks. The same applies to warehouse trucks, where more than half the market is made up of manual or ...
4.4 Innovation at the heart of our offering
While innovation in the services offered by manufacturers enables them to expand their offerings, it is also key for them to improve their products. Improving the performance and operating efficiency of forklifts is at the heart of manufacturers' innovation challenges and R&D efforts. Load capacities and working heights on the ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Tougher European regulations on greenhouse gas emissions
Since ****, combustion-powered forklifts, which account for the vast majority of the French forklift fleet, have been subject to European regulation **/**/EG, which requires diesel engines above ** kW to reduce nitrogen oxides (***), hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and soot particles.
From January ****, these thermal forklifts will also be subject to the new European fuel ...
5.2 Forklift rental: regulations impose reciprocal obligations
In the case of a rental without a driver, the rental company must meet several obligations (***):
The forklift must comply with current regulations(***); He must present the forklift's CE declaration of conformity; The forklift's manufacturer's instruction manual must be supplied, along with copies of forklift inspection reports; The hirer must also ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Segmentation
- Manitou
- Toyota Industries
- OMG Industry Expertlift
- Heli Belgique
- Manuloc
- Aprolis Groupe
- Bouhyer
- Kion Group (Linde, Still, Fenwick)
- Jungheinrich
- Hyster-Yale Materials Handling
- Anhui HELI
- Hangsha
- Kalmar (Cargotec group)
- Konecrane
- JLG Lift Equipement (Oshkosh Corporation)
- Haulotte
- Baumann Cavaion Side loaders
- Combilift
- Charlatte Manutention (Fayat Groupe)
- Alvest TLD Group
List of charts presented in this market study
- International forklift trade
- Size of the global forklift market
- Breakdown of French materials handling sales by activity
- Market size for the manufacture of lifting and handling equipment
- Breakdown of forklift deliveries by product category
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Latest news
Rental company Manuloc enters the decarbonation market - 28/03/2024
- Specialist in the long-term rental of industrial trucks
- Owner of 23,000 machines
- Virtually all equipment, with a total value of 645 million euros, runs on integrated batteries
- Acquisition of an ETI specializing in financial services will enable it to position itself in the financial leasing of solar panels, inverters and storage batteries.
- The group has 1,100 employees and sales of 430 million euros.
Manitou invests 60 million in aerial work platform production in Maine et Loire - 17/09/2023
- Manitou, which manufactures aerial work platforms, offers some thirty models that can lift loads from 400 kg to heights ranging from 10 to 28 meters.
- Manitou is planning a €60 million expansion in Candé (Maine-et-Loire) to boost its boom lift production.
- The company plans to build an additional 20,000 m2 factory, adjacent to its most recent plant in Candé.
- For the first half of 2023, Manitou reported sales of 1.4 billion euros, an increase of 33% on the previous period.
- The Manitou Group currently has 5,000 employees.
- The company already has two factories employing 270 people in Candé.
Jungheinrich acquires American Storage Solutions - 29/03/2023
- - Transaction value: $375 million
- - Number of Storage Solutions employees: 170
- - Storage Solutions sales: $290 million
- - Worldwide industry growth: 10%
- - Jungheinrich sales: 4.24 billion euros
- - Number of Jungheinrich employees: 19,000
Batteries: easyLi gets a second wind with Manitou - 22/02/2023
- EasyLi, designer and manufacturer of innovative removable batteries for small electric mobility systems, has had a hard time getting off the ground
- Acquisition by Vendée giant Manitou
- The company is known for its small, swappable lithium batteries for easy recharging
- The site has the capacity to expand to accommodate a hundred new employees by 2026 (there are currently 25).
- In partnership with several scooter manufacturers and kiosk-free fleet rental companies, the company has equipped 12,500 Cityscoot scooters.
- The products are sold with post-warranty maintenance contracts "to extend their lifespan by a factor of two or three, up to ten years"
- The maintenance business accounts for 20% of sales.
- EasyLi develops electricity storage batteries for newcomers to self-consumption photovoltaic production.
Bouhyer expands its foundry to meet global demand for counterweights - 15/12/2022
- 40% increase in site production
- 300 employees
- Bouhyer exports almost 90% of its counterweights
Bouhyer maintains investments despite energy costs - 25/10/2022
- Manufacturer of cast-iron counterweights
- Tenfold increase in energy bill by 2023
- Investment plan of over €20 million over six years, new plant in Ancenis
- Over two years' work in portfolio
- Exports almost 90% of its production to Germany
- Sales between 73 and 75 million euros in 2022, compared with 60 million in 2021
- Current workforce 300
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the forklift market | France
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