Industry snapshot
Key public data points
Historical & forecast
Base year 2025. 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 2030.
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Connect to an analyst →Industry Definition and Scope
What does the Conveying Equipment Manufacturing in the US industry cover?
The Conveyor and Conveying Equipment Manufacturing industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing conveyors and conveying equipment for various industrial and commercial uses. This classification includes gravity, trolley, tow, pneumatic tube, carousel, farm, and belt conveyors. The industry intentionally excludes the manufacturing of passenger elevators or moving stairways, which fall under a separate government classification.
- •NAICS code 333922 covers industrial, commercial, and farm-type conveyors.
- •Essential equipment produced is utilized heavily in logistics, mining, manufacturing, and airport baggage handling.
- •Passenger elevators and overhead traveling cranes are explicitly excluded from this classification.
Market Structure and Operators
Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?
The industry is characterized by a mix of large multinational systems integrators and numerous small-to-medium specialized manufacturers. The US Census Bureau estimates 351 active enterprises operate within this classification, employing over 35,800 workers nationwide. It remains moderately fragmented, with specialized firms catering to niche agricultural or mining applications operating alongside large automated warehouse providers.
- •The sector features 351 verified active companies in the United States based on 2022 data.
- •The industry provides manufacturing jobs for approximately 35,863 workers across the country.
- •Major production hubs often align with historical industrial and manufacturing centers in the Midwest and Southeast.
Demand Drivers
What drives demand in the industry?
Demand for conveying equipment is strongly tied to capital expenditure in the warehousing, distribution, and manufacturing sectors. The rapid expansion of e-commerce has forced logistics providers to invest heavily in automated sorting and conveying systems to handle high fulfillment volumes. Additionally, industrial facility upgrades aimed at reducing labor costs and improving throughput serve as primary catalysts for new equipment orders.
- •Rising e-commerce fulfillment needs necessitate the installation of advanced material handling systems.
- •Growth in the broader manufacturing sector directly increases demand for assembly line conveyors.
- •Capital investment cycles, industrial output metrics, and interest rates heavily influence procurement timelines.
Competitive Landscape and Notable Public Companies
Who are the notable companies in the industry?
The competitive landscape features a blend of diversified industrial conglomerates, global material handling specialists, and domestic pure-play manufacturers. Operators compete on system reliability, automation capabilities, complex integration services, and aftermarket support. Strategic acquisitions are common as firms seek to offer comprehensive, end-to-end intralogistics solutions to major retail and industrial clients.
- •Regal Rexnord Corporation provides critical conveyor components, power transmission, and motion control solutions.
- •Columbus McKinnon Corporation offers a range of material handling products, including specialized conveyor parts.
- •Symbotic Inc. focuses on high-tech automation, building advanced robotic conveying and AI-driven sorting systems.
- •Honeywell International Inc. operates in this space through its Intelligrated division, a major provider of warehouse automation.
Recent Trends and Outlook
What are the recent trends and outlook?
The industry is experiencing a technological shift toward smart, connected systems featuring Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and predictive maintenance capabilities. Integration with robotics and artificial intelligence is becoming standard for modern distribution centers seeking to maximize uptime. The outlook remains positive as supply chain resilience and automation continue to be prioritized by businesses aiming to mitigate labor shortages.
- •Integration of IoT allows for real-time condition monitoring of conveyor belts, rollers, and drive motors.
- •Energy efficiency is increasingly emphasized in new system designs to lower long-term operational costs.
- •The shift towards automated guided vehicles (AGVs) is complementing, and sometimes replacing, traditional fixed conveying infrastructure.
Regulation and Compliance
How is the industry regulated?
Manufacturers of conveying equipment must adhere to stringent safety and operational standards to prevent workplace hazards and injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets strict federal guidelines for machine guarding, emergency stops, and maintenance lock-out/tag-out procedures. Furthermore, equipment deployed in food processing or pharmaceutical environments must meet specific sanitary and hygiene standards.
- •OSHA standard 1926.555 specifically governs the safe operation, emergency stopping, and guarding of industrial conveyors.
- •The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) provides widely adopted industry safety, design, and dimensional standards.
- •Food-grade conveyors must strictly comply with FDA and USDA sanitary design requirements, often utilizing stainless steel and specialized plastics.
Sources
Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.
- US Census Bureau (2022) ·
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ·
- Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) ·
- US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Claight analysis of public industry data.