Industry snapshot
Key public data points
Historical & forecast
Base year 2023. Each series is official through its own latest government-data year (shown in the legend on each chart), and years beyond that are Claight estimates. As of July 2026 the current year is still in progress (2026 annual data is not yet published), so the forecast runs to 2028.
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What does the Conveying Equipment Manufacturing in European Union industry cover?
The conveying equipment manufacturing industry encompasses the production of material handling systems including belt conveyors, screw conveyors, bucket elevators, and pneumatic conveying systems. These are essential components in manufacturing facilities, logistics operations, and processing plants across the EU.
- •Industry includes manufacturers of conveyor belts, rollers, motors, and control systems (European Committee for Standardization)
- •Equipment is primarily used in food processing, automotive, mining, and logistics sectors (Eurostat)
- •NACE Division 28: Manufacture of other machinery and equipment includes this category (Eurostat)
Market Structure and Operators
Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?
The EU conveying equipment market comprises both multinational manufacturers with local operations and specialized regional producers. Germany and Italy are particularly strong manufacturing centers, hosting numerous production facilities for conveying technologies.
- •Over 500 specialized conveying equipment manufacturers operate across the EU (European Committee for Conveying and Handling)
- •The industry employs approximately 25,000 workers directly and supports 75,000 indirect jobs (EU Manufacturing Report 2022)
- •Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 60% of industry players (European Investment Observatory)
Demand Drivers
What drives demand in the industry?
Primary demand drivers include increasing automation in manufacturing, growth in e-commerce logistics, and safety regulations requiring efficient material handling. The energy transition also creates demand for energy-efficient conveying systems.
- •Automated material handling systems investment grew by 12% in 2022 across EU manufacturing (European Federation of Materials Handling)
- •The food processing sector accounts for 30% of conveying equipment demand (EU Food and Drink Federation)
- •Stricter workplace safety regulations drive demand for certified conveying solutions (EU Agency for Safety and Health at Work)
Competitive Landscape and Notable Public Companies
Who are the notable companies in the industry?
The competitive landscape features several multinational corporations alongside regional specialists. Major players maintain strong R&D investments in automation and energy efficiency while smaller firms focus on niche applications and customization.
- •Beumer Group (Germany) - Global leader in intralogistics systems with €1.2 billion revenue in 2022
- •Schumacher Group (Austria) - Producer of belt conveyor systems with operations in 25 countries
- •RUD Ketten (Germany) - Specializes in chain conveyor technology and components
- •Spieth (Germany) - Manufactures conveying systems for bulk materials handling
Recent Trends and Outlook
What are the recent trends and outlook?
Recent industry developments include increased integration of IoT sensors for predictive maintenance, modular conveyor system designs, and greater emphasis on sustainability through energy-efficient drives and recyclable components.
- •Industry R&D investment increased by 8% in 2022, focusing on automation and energy efficiency (EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard)
- •Modular conveyor systems grew by 15% annually since 2020, meeting flexible manufacturing needs (European Committee for Conveying and Handling)
- •EU Green Deal initiatives drive demand for low-energy and zero-emission conveying solutions (European Commission)
Regulation and Compliance
How is the industry regulated?
The industry operates under stringent EU regulations covering machinery safety (2006/42/EC), CE marking requirements, and environmental standards for industrial equipment. New regulations focusing on circular economy principles are impacting design and material selection.
- •Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC sets mandatory safety standards for all conveying equipment (European Commission)
- •EU Ecodesign Directive requires energy efficiency improvements for industrial machinery (European Commission)
- •New circular economy regulations mandate minimum 85% recyclability for large equipment (European Environment Agency)
Sources
Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.
- Eurostat - European Production and Consumption Database 2022 ·
- European Committee for Conveying and Handling - Industry Report 2022 ·
- European Federation of Materials Handling - Annual Report 2022 ·
- EU Manufacturing Report 2022 ·
- European Investment Observatory - SME Manufacturing Study 2022 ·
- EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard 2022
Claight analysis of public industry data.