Did you know that material handling is a $330 Billion (with a capital B) industry, globally?

The top materials handling company by gross sales numbers is Caterpillar Inc. All by themselves, they raked in $53.8 billion in 2019. More than double the next highest sales numbers by Toyota Industries Corporation.

But the world of materials handling and sales numbers isn’t the whole story. Cranes and forklifts are two very different beasts.

Make sure your diesel is full and your batteries are charged. Keep reading to get our picks for the 5 best forklift brands in 2020.

Heavy-Lifters of the Forklift Brands

Since forklifts come in so many shapes and sizes our list will be an overall comparison, covering different types of forklifts.

1. Hyster

Hyster is one of the most recognizable brands of forklift in the world. Even without being inducted to forklifts, one of their warehouse forklifts is probably what you would imagine.

A long history of dependence and credibility with modern know-how and global reach make Hyster the #1 pick.

2. Yale

Yale is defacto #2, for being the second-most-recognizable and reliable brand in the world. While the company started out in the 1800s with locks, for which they are still a big name, they also had industrial aspirations.

Since the 1920s, Yale has been a leader in forklift design and production. It helps that Hyster and Yale have joined forces to completely slam-dunk on the competition.

The Hyster-Yale group IS material handling, even if they aren’t pulling the sales numbers of Caterpillar Inc.

3. Hiab

Hiab is a huge name in truck-mounted forklifts, producing the MOFFETT model of forklifts. There are a variety of different sizes and kinds available, from electric to diesel. They run quietly and in narrow spaces such as streets.

Recently, they also acquired their direct competitor, Princeton, and the PiggyBack forklift series. They’re now a nearly identical machine now, with MOFFETT lifts featuring off-centered seating while Princeton is in-line with the forks and mast.

Overall, they represent the first and second place market share in truck-mounted solutions. This means Hiab now has unprecedented reach in this segment.

4. Toyota

Toyota makes more than cars. Actually, after Caterpillar, they are the highest-selling material handling company in the world. Their range of forklifts covers difficult terrain to tight spaces and warehouses. Their lift capacities go from a ton to 50 tons.

The chances that Toyota doesn’t have a forklift product that you’re looking for is low. However, they don’t specialize in anything in particular except for comfort and smoothness.

Still, creature comforts are welcome.

5. Komatsu

Lastly, for our top 5, we have Komatsu which is another Japanese manufacturer of heavy industry and other industrial machinery. They have a great track record, though only 6% of their overall business sales are forklift related.

They are a quickly growing company and should be on your radar for upcoming years.

Lowering the Forks

Although forklift brands as a whole are having a tough year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, don’t count the industry out.

Material handling is expected to grow as an industry almost 6% into 2026. This from projections based on information gathered after the virus appeared in 2020!

The fewer people that products change hands during distribution, means less viral contact. Truck-mounted forklifts are known to streamline delivery systems as is.

Make sure to check them out now for single-operator distribution models, and safety!