The North American material handling market is poised to grow from US$27.177 billion in 2025 to US$34.532 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 4.91%.
The North American material handling market is upsurging significantly with the growing e-commerce industry which influences the need for efficient warehousing and distribution services. Owing to advancements in technology and society’s increasing shift to online shopping, solutions for handling small, frequent, and high-order volumes entail significant investments in managing them.
The companies therefore are incorporating the use of robotics and artificial intelligence in operations which cuts down the use of manpower and raises productivity and accuracy when restocking. Also, these businesses have called on automation to fill the gaps created by shortages of workers and to improve efficiency.
The fast-growing e-commerce industry fuels the demand for material handling in North America. In this regard, The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce released the estimate of U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2024 from the annual average seasonally adjusted rates, undefined for the price changes, of $291.6 billion, 1.3 percent (±0.7) higher than the first quarter of 2024.
With consumers demanding faster delivery times companies are inculcating various means to handle and transport goods. This has led to investments in ways and means that support order fulfillment and automation of the same. Moreover, to cut operational costs in the labor force and at the same time eliminate errors, companies are integrating new automation solutions like AS/RS and robotics.
Since the e-commerce products have to be shipped out as soon as possible, sorting and packaging become extremely important, and material handling systems are an important part of the logistics supply chain. Internet of Things and artificial intelligence are also improving operations, as companies can gather data to improve decision-making and productivity. Overall, the growth in e-commerce is fundamentally transforming the material handling market, as the demand for the development of new and improved technologies and solutions is increasing considerably.
Material handling equipment such as stackers, bulk material handling trucks, and forklifts are employed in manufacturing and construction sites for handling heavy loads. Hence, with the bolstering growth in manufacturing operations followed by investments in new construction & infrastructure projects, the demand for effective material handling equipment is expected to show traction.
For instance, as stated by NIST, in 2022, manufacturing contributed $2.3 trillion to U.S. GDP amounting to 11.4 % of total U.S. GDP. Adding to it, as of July 2024, the total investment in building construction in Canada was $20.9 billion as per Statistics Canada.
Material handling equipment eases up the overall supply chain operation, however, such equipment requires relubrication and maintenance work from time to ensure proper functioning of the equipment. Hence, such capital-intensive techniques require high investments which can be unaffordable for small-scale firms operating in the logistics and warehousing applications.
Moreover, a high level of expertise is required for operating such equipment to prevent technical complexities faced during operating such equipment.
End-User-wise, the automotive sector is anticipated to hold a considerable market share and is estimated to show constant growth as material handling plays a crucial role in ensuring an efficient and smooth production process, especially in the supply chain and assembly line. Moreover, material handling helps enhance the speed and accuracy of the production process while reducing the reliance on manual labor and minimizing errors. Hence, these factors are expected to positively influence the material handling market in the coming years.
Further, the ongoing transition towards robotic equipment for industrial operations has also paved the way for future market expansion. For instance, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the annual installation of robotics in the automotive industry increased from 9,854 units in 2021 to 14,472 units in 2022.
Additionally, the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), complex supply chains, and rising investment by automotive manufacturers in smart and automated material handling are expected to fuel the market growth in the projected years.
Country-wise, the United States is expected to account for a considerable market share and is poised for positive expansion fueled by the growing industrialization, establishment of warehouses, and favorable investment to bolster industrial automation. Moreover, the economy is at the forefront of technological innovations which has provided growth opportunities for modern solutions adoption for warehousing, assembling, and other material handling applications.
Major material handling dealers have established their presence in the US market and are experiencing positive growth in their business. For instance, according to the annual report of CARGOTEC which specializes in providing heavy load and cargo handling equipment, in 2023 the company’s equipment sales reached MEUR1,399.4 which represented a 20.9% growth over the sales conducted in 2022.
Likewise, companies that sell and provide aftermarket service in the United States are also witnessing positive growth in their revenue, for instance, according to the Alta Equipment Group’s ‘Fourth Quarter and Full Year’ report, the company’s material handling business in the United States witnessed a 19.4% growth with earnings reaching up to US$681.5 million.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| North America Material Handling Market Size in 2025 | US$27.177 billion |
| North America Material Handling Market Size in 2030 | US$34.532 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 4.91% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| List of Major Companies in North America Material Handling Market | |
| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |