After an exceptionally high unit order intake during the first quarter of 2003, the UK market for forklift trucks continues to reach record levels with British International Truck Association (BITA) members reporting a strong market throughout the second quarter of 2003 – unit orders between April and June totalled more than 7,000 new forklift trucks.
However, order levels were not quite as high in the second quarter of 2003 than in the corresponding period of 2003, hence a slight downturn in the annual figures. But the combined first and second quarter figures reveal that, with a total of almost 14,900 unit order, 2003 has seen the best first six months ever recorded by a margin of around 500 units.
BITA says that with such a good start to 2003, a second consecutive record year for the UK fork truck industry “is a distinct possibility”.
During the first six months of 2003, 58% of all forklift trucks ordered were counterbalance trucks, 16% were powered pallet trucks and 11% reach trucks; a pattern broadly in line with recent trends.
