North America Material Handling Equipment Market Size & Share 2026-2035

North America Material Handling Equipment Market Size

The North America material handling equipment market was estimated at USD 54.3 billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow from USD 57.6 billion in 2026 to USD 103.6 billion in 2035, at a CAGR of 6.8% according to latest report published by Global Market Insights Inc.

The material handling industry in North America is rapidly transforming as businesses continue to realize the benefits of automating their processes to achieve greater operational efficiencies and rely less on manual labor, while also ensuring they can maintain similar levels of throughput no matter how much demand spikes. This has led to more warehouses around the continent adding additional automated technologies to assist with moving goods, picking orders, and tracking inventory. New technologies such as robotics, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), and advanced sensing technologies have helped improve movement, reduce errors from the manual processes, and improve accuracy on order fulfilment by not only optimizing floor space, but by also improving the accuracy of the orders being fulfilled through automated systems.

Modernization of warehouses does extend past robotics to now begin including digital elements of transformation such as Internet of Things (IoT) capable equipment, cloud-based warehouse management systems (WMS), predictive maintenance, and real-time analytics. All of these technologies provide visibility to all movements of goods inside and outside of a warehouse, allowing for proactive decision-making and data-driven optimization of workflow. Energy efficiency is another focus within a modernized warehouse, where companies are changing to electric forklifts, more efficient lighting within their buildings and better HVAC controls to lower overall operational costs. As supply chain operations continue to evolve, many North American companies are focusing on flexible, scalable automation that can immediately respond to changes within product lines, seasonal surges in demand for goods, and carry the labor burden associated with all these changes.

The rapid growth of e-commerce positively influenced the growth of the material handling equipment market in North America. As a result of e-commerce, warehouses need to accommodate an increased volume and frequency of small, individualized orders and must do so at a faster pace with a greater variety of stock-keeping units (SKUs) than ever. This shift has created the following categories of products in increased demand: high-speed sortation systems, automated packing systems, efficient conveyor systems, and mobile robotics that can support creating value in high-mix, high-volume environments. E-commerce fulfillment centers generally operate 24 hours a day, so they require durable equipment and automated systems that will support continuous operation without any potential for bottlenecks in operations.

In addition, with the increase in expectation for same-day and next-day delivery, these companies have been forced to increase their fulfillment footprints, build regional distribution centers, and redesign their warehouse layouts for better material handling efficiency. The need for quick order processing has led to increased use of goods-to-person automation, dynamic storage systems, and advanced scanning and tracking technologies. E-commerce growth has also caused increases in outbound logistics such as automation of loading, palletizing, and last-mile consolidation systems. As e-commerce continues to grow, material handling equipment will continue to play a key role in providing fast delivery of packages, improving order accuracy, and providing cost-effective fulfillment workflows.

North America Material Handling Equipment Market Trends

Due to rapid changes to eCommerce and changing labor market dynamics, the North American material handling equipment industry is seeing a continual transition to automation, digitalization, and sustainability as companies are forced to respond to new supply chain requirements. Manufacturing, retailing, logistics, and distribution have all increased their emphasis on having enhanced systems, capable of handling increased order volumes, a greater variety of product configuration, and tighter delivery schedules. Companies are therefore making greater investments in modernizing warehouses, using robotics, electrifying their facilities, and optimizing their operations through the analysis of collected data.

• Automation is rapidly becoming the base for warehouse and industrial operations throughout North America. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), robotic picking arms, and automated storage/retrieval systems have all been deployed by companies to increase throughput and reduce reliance on human labor. Robotics are now both affordable and reliable enough to be employed by both very large companies and medium-size companies. There continues to be a growing emphasis on providing consistency, accuracy, and 24/7 operational capability all characteristics that cannot be achieved by human beings alone on a continual basis.
• The integration of digital technologies, including IoT sensors, machine-learning-based WMS, real-time tracking systems, and predictive maintenance platforms, allows warehouses to have complete insight into the flow of goods, the efficiency of the equipment, and the status of the inventory. Data analysis will enable warehouses to improve their layout and organization, reduce downtime, develop better decisions, etc. The transition from manual processes to connected and intelligent systems is a direct result of the transition from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0 and the development of agile and future-focused supply chains.
• The rapid increase in online retail has drastically changed how warehouses operate. Warehouses are now expected to implement systems designed to accommodate rising order volume and fulfillment speed. Examples include increased demand for high-speed sortation equipment, automated packaging systems, dynamic conveyor systems, and scalable mobile robotic fleets. As e-commerce companies continue to open regional distribution centers and micro-fulfillment operations, the equipment used to handle material will continue to evolve to meet the specific needs of batch picking, multi-SKU product handling, and fast delivery in the last mile.
• Facilities in North America are beginning to adopt electric forklifts, energy efficient conveyors and Eco-Friendly Warehouses at an increasing rate. Companies are pushing for the integration of environmentally friendly technologies to align with their corporate ESG goals. Sustainability is no longer an option; companies have gone beyond the aesthetic advantages of sustainability into creating a long-term operational incentive through reduction of fuel emissions and improved compliance with regulations.

North America Material Handling Equipment Market Analysis

Based on product type, the North America material handling equipment market is divided into storage and handling equipment, industrial trucks, bulk material handling equipment and robotics. In 2025, storage and handling equipment held the major market share, generating a revenue of USD 20.2 billion.

• The foundation of material flow within storage facilities, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants is provided using storage equipment and handling equipment. The various types of storage equipment include pallet racks, shelf systems, mezzanine levels, stacking frames, bins and/or containers that allow for the storing of goods in an orderly, accessible manner. Storage equipment will improve the vertical and horizontal space utilization of a business so that storage density can be maximized without expanding a company’s physical footprint. The use of storage equipment will assist in making inventory more accessible and organized thereby aiding in reducing retrieval time and assisting in creating more efficient overall workflows throughout a facility.
• Handling equipment, such as carts, dollies, pallet jacks, and hand trucks, also provide for the safe and efficient movement of items within a warehouse environment when transferring products over short distances. Handling equipment is valuable to help reduce manual muscle strain and facilitate the staging of product for order picking, packing, and/or dispatch. As the number of product types and/or order frequency increases for most businesses, there has been a demand for increasingly flexible, modular handling equipment that allows for the moving of products of different shapes and sizes quickly while causing minimal disruptions to operations. Additionally, handling equipment continues to evolve under a softer ergonomic design focus to enhance the safety of workers and to minimize physical fatigue associated with repetitive activity.
• Warehouse optimization is becoming increasingly important for companies to provide modern storage and handling solutions. Essentially, companies are spending large amounts of money on implementing these types of systems so that they can better integrate into mostly automated or semi-automated warehouses. To support faster and more efficient picking, warehouses are utilizing more high-density rack storage, gravity storage, and modular storing units. In addition to being designed to incorporate automation through highly sophisticated robotics / picking arms, the newer systems will also allow for scalable solutions as more companies utilize automated systems. As supply chains will continue to see increased throughput and SKU growth, storage and handling equipment will continue to play an essential role in overall operational efficiency, accuracy and space optimization.

Based on automation, the North America material handling equipment market is segmented in manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic. The semi-automatic segment held the largest share, accounting for 37.6% of the market in 2025.

• Semi-automatic machines are an option somewhere in between manual and automatic machine processes. They provide a means for operators to control the operation of the machine while having mechanical or electrical support functions from the machine, so the operator has to start or oversee the operation of the machine, but the machine will perform repetitive or labor-heavy functions without operator input while allowing the user to provide more productivity and accuracy than other processes without on-site investment into capital equipment or capital costs for a fully automated process. Semi-automatic machines are typically used in material handling, packaging, assembly, and quality inspection processes, where the degree of mechanization can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to perform a function.
• In a material handling operation, semi-automatic machines provide an efficient way to move and sort products. Examples of semi-automatic machines include semi-automatic pallet wrapping machines, lift assist tools, some types of conveyor systems, and semi-automatic picking tools. These devices enable workers to perform tasks without the physical stress associated with manually handling items, improve the ergonomics of how workers perform their jobs, and provide consistent handling performance when workers are performing repeated movements, working under moderate throughput conditions, etc. Companies will often select to use semi-automatic systems for improved speed and safety when they still need personnel to apply their judgment or perform flexibility in their work.
• Semi-automatic machinery allows to expand operations as demand increases. Many of these systems have capabilities that allow them to be upgraded or expanded and integrated into higher levels of automation through innovative technologies like sensors, robotics, and/or warehouse management systems. Thus, they are a very good practical option for firms that want to transition gradually to higher levels of automation without disrupting processes already in place. Semi-automatic equipment is also among the most cost-effective, flexible and productive options available when companies are trying to deal with current and future labor related issues, increase operational costs, as well as develop more resilient and efficient means to move and handle materials.

Based on application, the North America material handling equipment market is segmented into 3PL, E-commerce, general merchandise, food retail, food & beverage, manufacturing, pharmaceutical/healthcare. In 2025, 3PL segment held the largest market share, generating a revenue of USD 11.3 billion.

• Third Party Logistics Providers (3PLs) greatly affect demand for material handling equipment because they handle high volume warehousing, fulfillment and distribution products for multiple customers. As a result of these operations being so diverse due to the use of flexible and scalable equipment such as forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors and mobile robots; on a continual basis they are dealing with diverse products that require different methods of handling and frequent workflow changes. As companies outsource more logistics due to the need for improved efficiency and capital cost reductions, 3P providers continue to expand their facilities as well as upgrade their material handling systems to provide their customers with expedience and reliability/trustworthiness to meet the increasing need for fast and accurate service.
• The growth of e-commerce and the need to provide immediate service has led 3P service providers to invest in more advanced, semi-automated and automated material handling equipment to increase their throughput and accuracy. More 3P logistic service providers utilize higher density storage, automated picking aids, sortation systems, and real-time tracking systems to meet the demands of tight delivery times and the changing volume of customer orders. Due to the continued shortage of workers and the growing pressure to perform, 3P logistics service providers are investing heavily in material handling equipment that improves the speed of operation, reduces the manual labor required to complete a task and improves the overall responsiveness of the supply chain.

U.S. Material Handling Equipment Market

In 2025, the U.S. dominated the North America material handling equipment industry, accounting for around 64.4% and generating around USD 35 billion revenue in the same year.

• The U.S. material handling equipment sector is expanding as companies seek logistics solutions that are quicker, more efficient, and more reliable. Demand for equipment in this area is coming from several industries, including eCommerce, manufacturing, automotive, food and beverage, and life sciences. Because of this, businesses throughout the country are making capital investments into new technologies that help increase throughput while reducing the amount of manual labour required to move products from vendor to customer. Also, warehouses and distribution centres in the U.S. are growing their size by expanding their footprint or updating their infrastructure due to the increasing volume of orders being received, the complexity of SKUs being stocked, and their customers' requirements for fast shipping times.
• The U.S. market is experiencing considerable change due to the increasing use of automated systems, digitization and the conversion of equipment to an electric form of energy. Companies are now implementing robotics, IoT-enabled technologies (internet of things), advanced warehouse management software and other forms of operational efficiency to minimize operational costs and improve the accuracy of processes. Companies are continuing to implement automation due to the lack of workers nationally and therefore the demand for semi-automatic and fully automated systems, such as AMRs, AS/RS's and automated palletizing technologies is growing.
• In addition, sustainability initiatives are also influencing the choice of equipment, with electric forklifts and energy-efficient equipment rapidly being accepted within the industry. Overall, the U.S. market is evolving quickly as organizations continue to seek scalable and flexible solutions to provide strong supply chain resilience and maintain their competitive position.

North America Material Handling Equipment Market Share

Toyota Material Handling is leading with 8% market share. Toyota Material Handling, Crown Equipment, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, KION Group, Daifuku, collectively hold around 25%, indicating moderately fragmented market concentration. These prominent players are proactively involved in strategic endeavors, such as mergers & acquisitions, facility expansions & collaborations, to expand their product portfolios, extend their reach to a broad customer base, and strengthen their market position.

Toyota Material Handling is a leading supplier of material handling equipment and has a reputation for providing a broad selection of products including forklifts, warehouse equipment and automated/integrated solutions for your facility's needs. The company values safety, reliability, energy efficiency and the use of electrical and hybrid equipment in support of sustainable warehousing.

Crown Equipment is a well-established brand that provides high-quality lift trucks and ergonomic designs for both operators and material handlers alike. Crown also has cutting-edge fleet management systems which allow operators to maximize productivity, ensure durability of their equipment and reduce total cost of ownership using integrated systems. 

North America Material Handling Equipment Market Companies

Major players operating in the North America material handling equipment industry are:

• Bastian Solutions
• Columbus McKinnon
• Crown Equipment
• Daifuku
• Fives Group
• Honeywell Intelligrated
• Hyster-Yale Materials Handling
• Kardex Remstar
• KION Group
• Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas
• SSI SCHAEFER
• Swisslog Logistics
• Toyota Material Handling
• Vanderlande Industries
• Westfalia Technologies     

Bastian Solutions is a company that designs custom automated solutions using automated systems, robotic systems, conveyor systems, and automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS) systems to optimize warehouse space and order processing capabilities through the creation of custom automated systems software, robotic systems, automated conveyor systems.

Fives Group is an experienced provider of automated systems for material handling and industrial automation in multiple markets including logistics, manufacturing, and distribution. It provides sophisticated material handling and industrial automation solutions, and the product line includes high-speed sorting systems, conveyor systems, and turnkey automated material handling systems that are designed to accommodate complex material flows while providing optimal efficiency at a large scale.

North America Material Handling Equipment Industry News

• In December 2025, Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas rolled out a new range of electric forklifts, including the Jungheinrich EFG C20Q–C40Q and Mitsubishi FBC20Q–FBC40Q series, offering 4,000-8,000 lb load capacities, lift heights reaching approximately 8 meters, 100‑degree steering geometry for tighter manoeuvrability, and high‑speed travel performance suited for demanding warehouse environments.
• In March 2025, Bastian Solutions merged viastore North America into its operations, strengthening its portfolio with expanded pallet‑handling technologies, advanced automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) capabilities, and deeper warehouse automation integration expertise to deliver more comprehensive end‑to‑end intralogistics solutions.
• In February 2025, Daifuku unveiled a suite of next‑generation warehouse automation technologies at ProMat 2025, introducing its new Sorting Transfer Robot L and S systems alongside high‑speed sortation solutions, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and advanced AS/RS platforms designed to enhance throughput, flexibility, and operational efficiency across distribution and fulfilment environments.
• In May 2024, KION North America introduced the Linde Series 1293 electric counterbalance forklifts models E20BHP and E25BHP marking a key addition to its North American lineup, as the new Li‑ION powered units were designed to deliver higher efficiency, improved performance, and enhanced operator experience for warehouse and industrial users.

The North America material handling equipment market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) & volume (Thousand Units) from 2022 to 2035, for the following segments:

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Market, by Product Type

• Storage and handling equipment
  • Racks
  • Stacking frames
  • Shelves, bins, and drawers
  • Mezzanines
• Industrial trucks
  • Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
  • Hand, platform & pallet trucks
  • Order pickers
  • Pallet jacks
  • Side-loaders
  • Walkie stackers
• Bulk material handling equipment
  • Conveyor belts
  • Case conveyors
  • Pallet conveyors
  • Stackers
  • Reclaimers
  • Elevators
  • Others
• Robotics
  • Autonomous mobile robots
  • Cobots
  • Scara robots
  • Industrial robots
  • Others
    • AS/RS
    • Unit-load AS/RS
    • Mini load AS/RS

Market, by Automation

• Manual
• Semi-automatic
• Fully automatic

Market, by Application

• 3PL
• E-commerce
• General merchandise
• Food retail
• Food & beverage
• Manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical/Healthcare

Market, by Distribution Channel

• Direct
• Indirect

The above information is provided for the following countries:

• U.S.
• Canada