The lift truck industry spent the better part of 2009 stalled out. In last year’s Top 20 lift truck suppliers story, Modern reported “the fourth quarter [of 2008] saw sales come to a screeching halt.”
Unfortunately, that trend continued for the next four fiscal quarters; worldwide lift truck revenue for 2009 went in reverse, contracting by 39%. But before you read on about last year’s industry woes, know this: Things appear to be turning around in 2010. In fact, Jeff Rufener, president of the Industrial Truck Association (ITA, 202-296-9880) and vice president of marketing for Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift of America (MCFA, 713-365-1000), says, “last year we thought things couldn’t get any worse. The industry bumped modern special report started to show some increase.”