A forklift is a powered industrial truck used for short-distance lifting and transporting of materials. It is widely used in industries such as logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and ports, where it performs loading and unloading tasks of palletized goods within ship holds, railcars, and containers. Forklifts are essential equipment in pallet transportation and container handling.
Forklifts are typically designed to be compact, allowing for operation in tight spaces, with high flexibility and efficiency in material handling. There are various types of forklifts, mainly including internal combustion forklifts, electric forklifts, and warehouse forklifts. Internal combustion forklifts are suitable for outdoor operations and are known for their powerful performance. Electric forklifts, characterized by zero emissions and low noise, are ideal for indoor environments. Warehouse forklifts are mainly used in high-density storage environments, such as stackers and order pickers.
Forklifts can lift, transport, and stack various goods and materials, significantly improving handling efficiency and reducing labor intensity. The primary downstream industries that use forklifts include logistics and warehousing, manufacturing, construction, and ports. In logistics and warehousing, forklifts are used for transporting and stacking goods. In manufacturing, they are employed for material handling and production line support. In construction, forklifts are used to transport building materials, and at ports, they are utilized for loading and unloading containers and bulk cargo.
According to CRI, major global forklift exporters include Toyota Industries from Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Komatsu, as well as KION Group and Linde Material Handling from Germany.
As a key tool in logistics and warehousing, forklifts play a crucial role in material handling during industrial production, warehousing operations at large logistics centers, and the loading and unloading of goods at ports and airports. According to CRI, in Mexico, the forklift market has been growing due to the continued expansion of the manufacturing sector and export-oriented economy. Forklifts are especially in demand in the automotive manufacturing, electronics, consumer goods, and agricultural processing industries, where they are used for material handling on production lines and logistics of finished products. Additionally, Mexico's status as a member of the North American Free Trade Area has driven the growth of its forklift market, with the modernization of warehousing and distribution centers in the country.
As Mexico's industrialization and modernization accelerate, the forklift market in the country is expected to continue growing. CRI data shows that the import value of forklifts in Mexico reached approximately USD 400 million in 2023, and from January to September 2024, the import value of forklifts was already USD 450 million, marking a 50% increase from the same period in 2023. The market is expected to maintain growth in the coming years.
CRI’s analysis indicates that the main sources of forklift imports to Mexico from 2021 to 2024 include countries such as China, Japan, and Italy. Leading companies exporting forklifts to Mexico include TOYOTA TSUSHO CORPORATION, JLG INDUSTRIES, INC, and MA TE CO.
The primary importers of forklifts in Mexico are companies from industries such as construction, warehousing, and logistics. According to CRI, notable importers include BRIGGS EQUIPMENT S.A. DE C.V., TOYOTA TSUSHO CORPORATION DE MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V., and TRACSA S.A.P.I. DE C.V.
Overall, as Mexico's population grows and industrial development and urbanization continue, the forklift market in the country is set to expand. CRI anticipates that, due to limited domestic forklift production capacity, imports of forklifts in Mexico will continue to rise in the coming years, playing a key role in stabilizing and driving growth in Mexico's industrial sector. CRI suggests that overseas forklift manufacturers explore the Mexican forklift industry and, if necessary, consider establishing manufacturing plants in Mexico to capitalize on the opportunities in the Mexican forklift market.
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