Markets
General Market Trends
Global demand for industrial trucks in 2011 reflected the continued robust economic growth achieved by the emerging markets – especially in Asia, South America, and eastern Europe – and the ongoing recovery of demand in western Europe and North America. Over half of market growth was generated by the markets in western Europe and China. Eastern European markets also achieved high growth rates, driven above all by Russia. The high-growth regions underpinned their significance to the global market.
The KION brand companies now sell three in ten of their new trucks in the emerging markets – two of those three being BRIC countries. Of the emerging markets, Brazil, Russia, India, and China have the highest demand for industrial trucks. The German and U.S. markets were particularly buoyant among the industrialized countries, growing at a faster rate than the global market.
Western and Eastern Europe
The western European market benefited from strong demand and generated growth of 26 percent in 2011. Order intake in western Europe came to 278,400 units, a significant improvement on the 222,000 units achieved in 2010. The positive trend in the eastern European markets seen in 2010 continued, with growth of 36 percent to 54,500 units in the year under review. Russia was the main driver of the upturn with unit sales rising to 23,000, which equates to a year-on-year rise of 51 percent.
South America
The Brazilian market was only slightly below the record level achieved in 2010 and, despite high growth in warehouse technology, suffered a small decline of 1 percent to 22,600 units in 2011. However, the other markets in Central and South America were more upbeat and contributed to the region's year-on-year rise in demand of 23 percent.
Asia
China, which is the largest single market worldwide, accounted for almost two-thirds of Asia's entire order intake last year. The Chinese market expanded by 19 percent in 2011, reaching 238,400 units. As far as warehouse technology was concerned, there was greater demand for efficient trucks and intralogistics solutions, as seen in this market segment's above-average growth of 41 percent.
Locations
Sites for the production of forklifts and industrial trucks around the world and a sales and service network in more than 100 countries.
More InformationKION Group's Brands
Linde, STILL, Fenwick, OM STILL, Baoli and Voltas occupy different positions in the industrial truck sector. Linde Hydraulics provides trend-setting drive technology.
