The automated material handling equipment market size is expected to grow from US$ 35.65 billion in 2022 to US$ 56.34 billion by 2028; it is estimated to record a CAGR of 9.1% from 2022 to 2028.
Industrial robotics is becoming increasingly entangled with Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and other technologies. It is predicted that robots would boost productivity and provide advanced smart assistance to humans in the future. Automated material handling systems are computerized technologies using robots instead of human labor. These systems are used to lift, pull, store, push, and retrieve materials and products. The automated material handling systems can bring a new amount of productivity in different application areas, including manufacturing plants and warehouses. Growing era of industrial robotics is contributing towards the growth of automated material handling equipment market growth.
The players are significantly investing in developing industrial robots integrated with AI. Further, the Chinese government is expanding its efforts to integrate AI into industrial robots. The integration will reduce the human intervention, which will benefit countries with inadequate and expensive labor forces. However, this may also result in loss of employment in labor-intensive economies.
Additionally, higher adoption of robotics, rise in big data, increase in inclination towards e-commerce, and proliferation of micro-fulfillment centers are projected to create lucrative business opportunities in automated material handling equipment market during the forecast period.
Strategic Insights
Regional Analysis of Automated Material Handling Equipment Market
From the regional perspective, Europe is the second largest automated material handling equipment market share-holding region in the global market. Automotive, electronics & semiconductor, e-commerce, metal & heavy machinery, and many industries in European countries are witnessing high adoption of automated material handling (AMH) equipment. Countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania, Portugal, and Estonia, are witnessing high adoption of AMH equipment in varied industries. The Czech Republic and Poland were the biggest climber countries, where AMH equipment installation climbed by 40% and 25%, respectively. Countries such as Germany and Italy, with robust automotive market presence, have noticed a significant adoption of AMH equipment.
Below mentioned are a few stats on regional automobile assembly and production plants:
- There are 301 automobile assembly and engine production plants present in the region. Out of these plants, 194 are located within the European Union.
- 134 factories in the region manufacture passenger cars, 52 build heavy-duty vehicles (trucks), 41 make light commercial vehicles (vans), 72 manufacture engines, 66 produce buses, and 18 make batteries.
- Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain are among the key countries with automobile assembly and production plants.
Therefore, the presence of a huge automotive industry is driving the installation of AMH equipment in Europe.
Lucrative Regions – Automated Material Handling Equipment Market
Market Insights – Automated Material Handling Equipment Market
System Type-Based Insights
Based on system type, the automated material handling equipment market is bifurcated into unit load and bulk load. In 2022, the unit load segment held a larger market share. The system is preferred by most of the industries due to the ease of construction along with practicality of unit load AMH systems. With the growing factory automation, the demand for these types of material handling systems is also set to increase. Unit load AMH are generally introduced upon work-in-progress operations to support just-in-time delivery and buffer storage in the production process. Manufacturing industries such as automotive, metal & heavy machinery, semiconductors, and electronics are a few major consumers of unit load AMH systems. Growing application of unit loads for high-density pallet storage, special loads, goods-to-person technology, cold & freezer storage, and buffering & staging is expected to endure the adoption of unit loads for handling large and heavy loads in the coming years. The mentioned aspects on use of unit loads will contribute towards the global automated material handling equipment market.
The automated material handling equipment market players are mainly focused on developing advanced and efficient products.
- In January 2023, Trew, LLC (an automated materials handling solutions provider) announced that it is expanding its footprint in Southwest Ohio (the US). The company aims to set up a technology center to accelerate material handling solution innovation while generating minimum 75 new engineering jobs. The company would receive a grant of up to US$ 4 million in assistance with an R&D Grant from JobsOhio. This grant will enable Trew to develop warehouse execution software and automation technologies, and create a demonstration, testing, and training facility.
- In December 2022, Ensign Equipment Inc., a material handling equipment and integrated systems for handling dry bulk solids provider, completed the expansion of their assembly plant. The expansion would double Ensign Equipment Inc assembly space, fulfilling the rising demand for automated material handling solutions.
The automated material handling equipment market size is segmented into five major regions—North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East & Africa, and South America. In 2022, APAC led the automated material handling equipment market with a substantial revenue share, followed by Europe. Further, Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR in the automated material handling equipment market from 2022 to 2028.
Daifuku Co. Ltd.; Hyster-Yale Material Handling, Inc.; Jungheinrich AG; Kion Group AG; Toyota Industries Corporation; Hanwha Corporation; John Bean Technologies Corporation; Kuka AG; Beumer Group GmbH & Co.; and Fives Group are among the key automated material handling equipment market players operating in the industry. The market report provides detailed market insights, which help the key players strategize growth in coming years.