The Decline of Internal Combustion Forklifts

Oct. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- The MHEDA Journal Online (http://www.TheMhedaJournal.org), is the leading online magazine for the forklift, conveyor, storage & handling, and general material handling equipment industries. The MHEDA Journal website has a feature called "On the Edge" for discussing hot-button industry issues.  

Internal combustion (IC) forklifts have been a dominant force in the lift truck market for decades. However, recent trends have some in the material handling industry wondering whether IC trucks will continue to have such a large market share, or if they are becoming an endangered species.

In the article, “Lift Truck Industry On The Road To Recovery,” Jeff Rufener, president of the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), writes, “The shift to electric products from internal combustion lift trucks that has occurred over the last several years is typical of recessionary periods. However, it has never been so pronounced, with electrics moving from roughly 55 percent of orders in 2006 to nearly 70 percent in 2009.” The 2009 ITA member company poll predicted that IC forklifts will never again account for more than 40 percent of the total volume.

The new generation of leaders is more environmentally conscious than current decision makers. Used oils and caustic emissions are factors that they consider.

The shift to electrics in the industry cannot be entirely attributed to a green philosophy, though. Jeff Long, vice president of sales and service at EnerSys, says, “People are moving to electrics because the productivity on those trucks is better than it has ever been. Performance on electrics is almost equivalent to IC trucks now.” With the increase in fuel prices, it is often more economical for many customers to recharge a battery than to fill up a fuel tank.

Will electrics ever fully replace IC forklifts? Find out by reading the entire article in The MHEDA Journal Online. http://www.themhedajournal.org/index.php/2011/10/the-decl....    The MHEDA Journal is published quarterly, in January, April, July and October. For more information, contact Steve Guglielmo, content editor of The MHEDA Journal, (315) 445-2347, email: steve@datakey.org.

About MHEDA
Founded in 1954, the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its member journals (www.TheMhedaJournal.org), e-magazines, newsletters and industry wiki (www.wikimheda.org), MHEDA connects the manufacturers of storage & handling, lift trucks and conveyor equipment and distribution leaders for the purpose of delivering optimal solutions to the users of those products. MHEDA publications are the industry’s voice for all matters related to the latest technology and the most up-to-date processes spanning the movement and storage of all materials. A 501(c)3 organization, MHEDA members span all of North America.