The Europe Forklift Market was valued at USD 4.85 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 7.68 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.0% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This remarkable expansion is fueled by accelerating automation in logistics, manufacturing sector growth, and the rapid electrification of material handling equipment across industries.
As Europe transitions toward sustainable industrial operations, strategic investments in smart warehouse technologies and emission-free forklifts are reshaping the competitive landscape. Here, we analyze the Top 10 Companies Dominating Europe’s Forklift Industry – a dynamic mix of established industrial vehicle manufacturers and automation specialists driving the continent’s material handling revolution.
🔟 1. KION Group
Headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany
Key Offering: Diesel/LPG forklifts, electric forklifts, automated guided vehicles (AGVs)
KION Group commands significant market share through its Linde and STILL brands, specializing in high-performance forklifts with cutting-edge energy recovery systems. Their proprietary hydrostatic drives and lithium-ion battery solutions are transforming warehouse efficiency.
Automation Initiatives:
-
Over 5,000 AGVs deployed globally
-
Smart fleet management through KION Cloud solutions
-
EUR 300M investment in automation R&D (2022-2025)
Download FREE Sample Report: Europe Forklift Market – View Detailed Research Report
9️⃣ 2. Jungheinrich AG
Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
Key Offering: Electric forklifts, warehouse automation systems, lithium-ion solutions
This German powerhouse leads in sustainable material handling, with 94% of its product range featuring electric drives. Their proprietary energy management systems deliver 30% longer battery life compared to industry standards.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Carbon-neutral production since 2021
-
Pioneer in hydrogen fuel cell forklift development
-
63% reduction in energy consumption per manufactured truck (2015-2023)
8️⃣ 3. Toyota Material Handling Europe
Headquarters: Ancenis, France
Key Offering: Full electric range, fuel cell forklifts, connected fleet solutions
Toyota’s European division combines Japanese engineering with localized production, offering the industry’s most comprehensive electric forklift lineup. Their SAS (System of Active Stability) technology has reduced warehouse accidents by 42% among clients.
Technology Highlights:
-
350+ IoT-connected fleets operational
-
30% faster charging with regenerative braking systems
-
Multi-brand fleet management via Toyota I_Site
7️⃣ 4. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling
Headquarters: London, UK
Key Offering: High-capacity forklifts, warehouse trucks, alternative power solutions
Hyster-Yale dominates the heavy-duty segment with lift capacities up to 52 tons. Their Nuvera hydrogen fuel cell technology is gaining traction among European ports and steel plants requiring zero-emission handling of massive loads.
Innovation Focus:
-
Hydrogen-powered container handlers deployed in Rotterdam
-
Machine learning-enabled predictive maintenance systems
-
120+ alternative power projects underway in EU
Download FREE Sample Report: Europe Forklift Market – View Detailed Research Report
6️⃣ 5. Crown Equipment Corporation
Headquarters: New Bremen, Germany
Key Offering: Electric pallet trucks, stackers, automated warehouse solutions
Crown’s European operations excel in ergonomic warehouse equipment, with patented technologies like QuickPick Remote lowering operator fatigue by 57%. Their modular designs enable effortless customization for specialized applications.
Ergonomics Breakthroughs:
-
25 patents in operator assist technologies
-
Industry’s only full line of lithium-powered walkies
-
VR-based operator training systems reducing accidents by 38%
5️⃣ 6. Manitou Group
Headquarters: Ancenis, France
Key Offering: Articulated forklifts, rough terrain trucks, telehandlers
Specializing in challenging environments, Manitou dominates construction and agricultural material handling with durable multi-terrain solutions. Their hybrid diesel-electric MHT 10230 offers 40% lower emissions without compromising 10-ton lifting capacity.
Rugged Solutions:
-
80% market share in European agricultural telehandlers
-
ISO 14001 certified manufacturing across all EU plants
-
Integrated weighing systems for construction logistics
4️⃣ 7. Komatsu Utility Europe
Headquarters: Vilvoorde, Belgium
Key Offering: Heavy-duty forklifts, automated warehouse systems, predictive analytics
Komatsu’s European division merges Japanese robotics expertise with localized support, delivering ultra-reliable forklifts with industry-leading 98% uptime guarantees. Their Fleet Manager 4.0 platform processes over 1 million operational data points daily.
Smart Operations:
-
500+ automated warehouse installations
-
70% reduction in unplanned downtime through AI diagnostics
-
Blockchain-based maintenance tracking
3️⃣ 8. Mitsubishi Logisnext Europe
Headquarters: Almere, Netherlands
Key Offering: Electric warehouse trucks, automated guided vehicles, fleet telematics
This Japanese-European hybrid specializes in compact warehouse solutions, with tailored trucks for narrow aisle operations. Their UniCarriers brand delivers best-in-class energy efficiency at 1.1 kWh/operational hour.
Space Optimization:
-
35% smaller turning radius than competitors
-
Patented Curve Control for tight warehouse navigation
-
Dual-purpose trucks for both indoor/outdoor operations
2️⃣ 9. Doosan Industrial Vehicles
Headquarters: Beringen, Belgium
Key Offering: IC engine forklifts, lithium-ion electric models, big data analytics
Doosan’s European hub combines Korean manufacturing prowess with localized R&D, producing durable forklifts with 20% longer component lifespans. Their DX electrostatic painting technology cuts maintenance intervals by 30%.
Durability Focus:
-
5-year/20,000-hour powertrain warranty
-
Industry’s only 4-pump hydraulic system
-
30 dealerships offering 24/7 support across Europe
1️⃣ 10. Hubtex Maschinenbau
Headquarters: Fulda, Germany
Key Offering: Specialized multidirectional forklifts, custom handling solutions
This German specialist leads in tailored material handling for aerospace, automotive and wood industries. Their Phoenix series handles loads up to 120 tons with millimeter precision, serving unique industrial applications across Europe.
Nexus Solutions:
-
45° steering capability for confined spaces
-
Laser-guided positioning with ±2mm accuracy
-
20% of revenue dedicated to custom engineering projects
Get Full Report Here: https://www.statsmarketresearch.com/europe-forklift-forecast-2025-2032-637-8030254
🏭 Outlook: Smart, Sustainable Material Handling Gains Momentum
The European forklift market is undergoing a fundamental transformation, shifting from conventional diesel-powered machines to intelligent, connected electric fleets. With e-commerce growth and sustainability mandates accelerating changes, we’re witnessing unprecedented innovation in warehouse automation and alternative power solutions.
📈 Key Market Catalysts:
-
Electric models now represent 68% of new forklift sales in Western Europe
-
EU’s 2030 emission targets driving 85% adoption of energy recovery systems
-
65% of large warehouses now deploy telematics-enabled fleets
-
4.3 billion EUR invested in material handling automation since 2020
-
Battery swapping stations emerging as critical infrastructure
The companies profiled above aren’t merely selling forklifts—they’re enabling Europe’s Industry 4.0 transformation through smarter, greener material handling ecosystems.