Forklift Manufacturing in European Union 2026: Industry Statistics & Trends

The forklift manufacturing industry in the European Union is a highly specialized engineering sector dedicated to producing powered industrial trucks, warehouse equipment, and heavy-duty materials handling solutions. The industry is navigating a transition toward complete electrification, digital fleet management, and automated guided vehicles to serve modern logistics frameworks. Industry performance remains heavily driven by global supply chains, with major operator KION Group AG reporting industrial truck and services revenue of 8,272.5 million euros in 2025 (KION Group AG Annual Report 2025), while Jungheinrich AG registered group revenue of 5,502 million euros in 2025 (Jungheinrich AG A

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

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What does the Forklift Manufacturing in European Union industry cover?

The sector encompasses the design, assembly, and maintenance of self-propelled and pedestrian-controlled industrial trucks. These machines are engineered for moving, lifting, and stacking pallets or heavy loads within warehouses, distribution centers, airports, and manufacturing plants. The scope excludes heavy construction excavators and agricultural machinery, focusing strictly on factory, warehouse, and logistics-hub material transport.

• •Classified globally under standardized economic registers, the industry is distinct from general transport vehicle manufacturing.
• •Key product segments include electric counterbalanced forklifts, internal combustion engine trucks, reach trucks, and electric pallet stackers.
• •Recent scope expansions include the integration of physical AI, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) directly into assembly lines.

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The European forklift market operates under a consolidated structure where a small group of multinational engineering conglomerates command a significant portion of manufacturing capacity and revenue. Production is concentrated primarily in industrial corridors across Germany, France, Italy, and Sweden, leveraging highly integrated regional supply chains. These players operate extensive global networks of production sites, regional distribution subsidiaries, and certified dealership networks.

• •The European Materials Handling Federation (FEM) coordinates trade activities, representing over 1,000 member companies across 15 national associations.
• •Operators increasingly rely on specialized component suppliers for hydraulic systems, lithium-ion battery cells, and advanced sensor modules.
• •Value chains are highly circular, with used vehicle reconditioning, short-term rental fleets, and battery recycling representing growing operational segments.

What drives demand in the industry?

The expansion of e-commerce, high-density warehousing, and cold-chain logistics acts as the principal driver for industrial truck procurement. Businesses are increasingly demanding emissions-free and quiet indoor equipment, sparking a rapid substitution of internal combustion engine vehicles with advanced electric powertrains. Labor shortages in logistics and warehousing further accelerate the demand for automation-ready and fully autonomous material-handling systems.

• •Warehouse utilization and e-commerce growth drive consistent demand for narrow-aisle stackers and electric pallet jacks.
• •A strong corporate focus on reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions accelerates transition to lithium-ion forklift fleets.
• •The adoption of IoT-enabled fleet management platforms allows logistics managers to optimize machine usage, decreasing overall total cost of ownership.

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

Competition in the European Union is fierce, led by domestic industrial giants and localized operations of major global conglomerates. Companies differentiate themselves through technological innovation, service contract availability, and the integration of advanced software ecosystems. Publicly listed entities and large international divisions actively compete for long-term fleet contracts with global third-party logistics (3PL) providers.

• •KION Group AG, headquartered in Germany, is a leading operator possessing prominent brands such as Linde Material Handling and STILL.
• •Jungheinrich AG stands as another major European manufacturer, achieving 5,502 million euros in revenue during its 2025 fiscal year.
• •Toyota Material Handling Europe operates extensive local production facilities, including plants in Sweden, France, and Italy.
• •Manitou Group (Manitou BF SA), based in France, represents a major player specialized in rough-terrain forklifts and telehandlers.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The transition away from lead-acid batteries toward high-performance lithium-ion chemistry remains the dominant engineering trend. Despite near-term macroeconomic headwinds in Europe, incoming orders indicate steady long-term investment in fleet modernization and smart logistics. Industry innovators are increasingly entering strategic partnerships with technology companies to develop physical AI, digital twins, and swarm automation.

• •Jungheinrich AG expects incoming orders to range between 5.4 billion and 6.0 billion euros for the 2026 fiscal year.
• •KION Group AG forecasts overall group revenue to reach between 11.4 billion and 12.3 billion euros in 2026.
• •Recent corporate developments include KION's AI-driven warehouse partnerships and Toyota's Swarm Automation ecosystem.

How is the industry regulated?

Forklift manufacturing is subject to stringent EU standards focusing on operational safety, emission limits, and environmental sustainability. Compliance with the European Machinery Regulation is mandatory, dictating strict engineering safety codes to prevent workplace accidents and tips. Manufacturers must also align production with strict chemical and battery-handling laws affecting circular economy practices.

• •The EU Batteries Regulation mandates clear carbon footprint declarations and stricter recycling targets for industrial batteries.
• •The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) impacts the import of structural steel and raw metals used in vehicle chassis.
• •Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) regulations impose strict limits on exhaust emissions for remaining internal-combustion fleets.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• KION Group AG Annual Report 2025 ·
• Jungheinrich AG Annual Report 2025 ·
• European Materials Handling Federation (FEM) ·
• Eurostat (NACE Rev. 2 Classification Database)