PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931853
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931853
Automated material handling equipment encompasses computerized technologies that eliminate the need for human labor, employing robots to transfer materials efficiently from one location to another. This approach enhances overall operational efficiency by optimizing time and space utilization and effectively managing, storing, and controlling material flow.
The primary types of automated material handling equipment include robots, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), conveyors and sortation systems, cranes, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV). Robots play a crucial role in automating heavy, monotonous, and high-risk tasks within the production line, executing specific activities swiftly and accurately with minimal human intervention. Two main systems within automated material handling equipment are unit load material handling and bulk load material handling. These systems find diverse applications across various industries, including automotive, metals and heavy machinery, food and beverages, chemicals, healthcare, third-party logistics (3PL), semiconductors and electronics, aviation, e-commerce, and other verticals.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs are influencing the automated material handling equipment market by increasing costs of imported industrial robots, sensors, motors, control electronics, and steel structures used in conveyors, cranes, agvs, and asrs systems. Automotive, e-commerce, and manufacturing sectors in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on cross-border component sourcing, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on export-driven equipment production. These tariffs are raising project costs and extending deployment timelines. At the same time, they are encouraging domestic manufacturing, localized system integration, and regional software development, strengthening long-term supply chain resilience.
The automated material handling equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides automated material handling equipment market statistics, including automated material handling equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an automated material handling equipment market share, detailed automated material handling equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the automated material handling equipment industry. This automated material handling equipment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The automated material handling equipment market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $42.51 billion in 2025 to $45.71 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of e-commerce fulfillment centers, rising labor costs in logistics operations, increasing adoption of lean warehousing practices, growth of high-volume manufacturing facilities, improvements in robotics and automation technologies.
The automated material handling equipment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $61.14 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in smart logistics infrastructure, rising demand for end-to-end warehouse automation, expansion of automation in cold storage facilities, growing adoption in emerging markets, increasing focus on real-time inventory visibility. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing deployment of fully automated warehousing systems, rising adoption of robotic picking and sorting solutions, growing integration of agvs and asrs platforms, expansion of ai-driven warehouse management systems, enhanced focus on throughput and space optimization.
Rising demand in the semiconductor industry is expected to drive the growth of the automated material handling equipment market. The semiconductor industry involves the design, development, manufacturing, and sale of semiconductor devices. Implementing automated material handling equipment in this sector enhances efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness, ultimately improving product quality and customer satisfaction. For instance, in November 2025, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), a US-based trade association, global semiconductor sales reached $208.4 billion in Q3 2025, reflecting a 15.8% rise from the previous quarter, while September 2025 sales climbed to $69.5 billion, marking a 25.1% increase over September 2024 and a 7.0% gain compared with August 2025. Therefore, growing demand in the semiconductor industry is fueling the automated material handling equipment market.
Key companies in the automated material handling equipment market are focusing on innovations such as electric forklift models to drive growth. Electric forklifts are powered by rechargeable batteries, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional internal combustion forklifts. For example, in May 2023, Toyota Material Handling Corporation (TMHC), a Sweden-based industrial vehicle manufacturer, launched electric forklift models. The new electric Center Rider Stacker combines the functions of an order picker, counterbalanced forklift, and center rider into one unit, offering a lift height of 72 inches and a lift capacity of 2,500 pounds. Additional products include side-entry end riders, center rider stackers, and industrial tow tractors, providing clients with enhanced efficiency, versatility, and operator comfort.
In October 2024, ZAPI GROUP, an Italy-based provider of electrification systems, motion controllers, electric motors, high-frequency battery chargers, and autonomous navigation technologies for material handling and industrial equipment, acquired UBIQUICOM for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen ZAPI's automation capabilities, expand integrated solutions for OEMs, and enhance its position in the global automated material handling and AGV markets. UBIQUICOM is an Italy-based provider of advanced real-time locating systems (RTLS) and tracking solutions designed to improve safety, efficiency, and productivity across production, supply chain, and logistics operations.
Major companies operating in the automated material handling equipment market are Daifuku Co Ltd., Toyota Industries Corporation, Kion Group AG, Honeywell International Inc., Fritz Schafer GmbH, The Beumer Group GmbH & Co KG, Cargotec Oyj, John Bean Technologies Corporation, Murata Machinery Ltd., INCAS SpA S.U., Jungheinrich AG, KNAPP Group, Midea Group, TGW Logistics Group, Siemens AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Schaefer Systems International Inc., Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc., Fives Group, KUKA AG, Vecna Robotics Inc., Grey Orange Pte. Ltd., The Interroll Worldwide Group, Swisslog Holding AG, Dematic GmbH, Vanderlande Industries, Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH, Bastian Solutions LLC, Mecalux S.A., Viastore Systems GmbH, Witron Logistik + Informatik GmbH
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the automated material handling equipment market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the automated material handling equipment market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the automated material handling equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The automated material handling equipment market consists of sales of assembling, packaging, storage, transportation, and other automated material handling equipment. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Automated Material Handling Equipment Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses automated material handling equipment market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for automated material handling equipment ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The automated material handling equipment market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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