Forklift truck sales rise 6pc

Forklift truck sales rose six per cent in the first half of 2017 following a dip in 2016, BITA’s latest Market Index reveals.

It means that there have now been two quarters of growth with annualised sales in June of 32,189 units.

Sales into the retail distribution sector have seen a large spike in demand (up 35.7 per cent over the past 12 months) exceeding the year-on-year growth in online shopping. This offset a 9.7 per cent drop in sales to the wholesale distribution sector.

Manufacturing accounted for 34.9 per cent of sales. The BITA report said the increased output of UK manufacturing towards the end of 2016 helped the improving picture after a downturn in Q3.

Secretary-general James Clark said: “Despite the uncertain economic environment, forklift sales seem to have begun their recover from the downturn seen during H2 of 2016, particularly in the retail distribution sector.”