As an accredited forklift training provider, we like to stay up to date with industry trends and keep a close eye on the different forklift manufacturers to see which ones are staying ahead of the curve in providing the best equipment to help our clients keep their businesses productive and safe.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the Top Ten Best Selling Forklift Brands Worldwide based on overall sales. It may come as no surprise to hear that Linde forklift trucks are a top seller in the UK, but the popularity of the forklift manufacturer does vary in different parts of the world.
TL;DR
- Toyota Material Handling is the biggest-selling forklift brand in the world, and has led the global lift truck market for more than a decade.
- Linde is the biggest-selling forklift brand in the UK and Europe, and now sits within the Kion Group, which ranks second worldwide.
- The global top ten by sales revenue is Toyota, Kion/Linde, Jungheinrich, Mitsubishi, Crown, Hyster-Yale, Anhui Heli, Hangcha, Komatsu and Clark.
- Brand popularity varies by region: European buyers favour Linde, Japanese brands lead worldwide, and US brands such as Hyster-Yale sell strongly across the US, UK, Middle East and South America.
- Choose the right machine for the task first, then the brand. Getting the correct truck for the job matters more than brand loyalty alone.
- Operators must be trained on the forklift type they will use, whatever the manufacturer, so training follows the truck category rather than the badge on the bonnet.
The biggest selling forklift brand in Europe and the UK is Linde material Handling, but with demerger carried out in the past, they are now part of the Kion Group, which rank number 2 in the list for forklift sales worldwide.
The Japanese giant BT / Toyota who proved themselves in offering super-efficient, low maintenance forklifts that can achieve improved manoeuvrability and easier access make them a popular choice worldwide.
Likewise, the top-rated American brand, Hyster-Yale have a large following, not just in the US but also in the UK, the Middle East and South America, thanks to their flexibility of offering both petrol and diesel options ensuring they cover a wide range of preferences across the global markets.
Below we’ve added a few more details about each of the top 10 forklift manufacturers base on sales revenue figures produced over the last couple of years.
Which forklift brands sell the most worldwide?
The top ten best-selling forklift brands worldwide, by reported sales revenue, are Toyota, the Kion Group (which includes Linde), Jungheinrich, Mitsubishi, Crown, Hyster-Yale, Anhui Heli, Hangcha, Komatsu and Clark. The table below sets out each brand’s rank, home country and most recently reported material handling revenue so you can compare them at a glance.
| Rank | Brand | Home country | Reported revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Material Handling | Japan | $19.98 billion (to 2020) |
| 2 | Kion Group / Linde | Germany | $7.18 billion (2019) |
| 3 | Jungheinrich Group | Germany | $4.56 billion (2019) |
| 4 | Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks | Japan | $4.26 billion (2019) |
| 5 | Crown Lift Trucks | USA | $3.5 billion (2019) |
| 6 | Hyster-Yale Material Handling | USA | $3.3 billion (2019) |
| 7 | Anhui Heli Co. | China | $1.44 billion (2019) |
| 8 | Hangcha Group | China | $1.28 billion (2019) |
| 9 | Komatsu Ltd | Japan | $1.25 billion (2020) |
| 10 | Clark Forklift Trucks | USA | $783 million (2019) |
No. 1: Toyota Material Handling
Toyota Material Handling is the biggest-selling forklift brand in the world and has held that position for more than a decade. Since the first forklift was produced in 1939 they have become well known across the world for their robust and reliable equipment offering high-quality in both comfort and use.
In addition to producing material handling equipment, Toyota is also a well-known brand producer of domestic vehicles, automotive air conditioning equipment, electronic parts, as well as textile machinery.
Toyota Industries Corp declared revenues of $19.98 billion for the annual accounting period to 2020, and has been the world’s largest material handling lift truck manufacturer for more than a decade.
No. 2: The Kion Group / Linde Forklift Trucks
The Kion Group, home of Linde, is the second-largest forklift manufacturer worldwide and the best-selling brand across the UK and Europe. With facilities in 100 countries and a total of 35,000 employees, The Kion Group is made up of several forklift truck brands including Linde, who have a combined history dating back as far as 1819. Revenue reported in 2019 for the material handling division came to $7.18 billion which represents a more than 5% increase compared to past revenue figures.
No. 3: Jungheinrich Group
Jungheinrich is the third-largest forklift manufacturer in the world. From the humble beginnings of being a small import/ export business in 1899 Jungheinrich Group has grown over the last 65 years to become the 3rd largest logistics company in the world. The German manufacturer reported a total of $4.56 billion revenue in 2019 which was also an increase on reported sales for 2018.
No. 4: Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks
Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks is the fourth-biggest brand by reported sales. The Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks brand was first formed in 1992 in a joint venture with Caterpillar Inc. Since then this Japanese producer has merged with its subsidiary UniCarriers Corporation. Reported Sales for the fiscal year 2018 came to $4.12 billion and in 2019, $4.26 billion sales were achieved.
No. 5: Crown Lift Trucks
Crown is the fifth-largest forklift manufacturer worldwide. US manufacturer, Crown Equipment Corporation, first manufactured temperature controls furnaces and television antenna rotators, before diversifying into their niche in the material handling industry. Crowns reported revenue of $3.5 billion in 2019 for material handling equipment sales making them the 5th largest manufacturer worldwide.
No. 6: Hyster Yale Material Handling
Hyster-Yale is the sixth-biggest forklift brand and the highest-placed US manufacturer that offers both petrol and diesel options. The origins of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc.lie in the Hyster Company and the Yale Materials Handling Corporation, and it has been trading as a stand-alone company since 2002. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling has been listed as a Fortune 1000 company in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Reported revenue for the financial year 2019 was $3.3 billion, which sees them with a rise in revenue from 2018 of 3%
Number 7: Anhui Heli Co.
Anhui Heli is the seventh-largest forklift manufacturer and the biggest of the Chinese producers. Anhui Heli is the largest of all the Chinese forklift truck producers. Their declared revenues of $1.44 billion in 2019, was pretty much the same as the previous year, when in 2018 they reported revenue of $1.4 billion.
Number 8: Hangcha Group
Hangcha is the eighth-biggest forklift brand worldwide and the second of the Chinese manufacturers in the top ten. Another Chinese manufacturer Hangcha Group, produce a total of 150 different models of forklift truck, which are designed for easy maintenance and with an aim to be low on upkeep costs. The company had revenues of $1.28 billion, which was also very close to the previous year’s figures of $1.27 billion in sales.
Number 9: Komatsu Ltd
Komatsu is the ninth-largest forklift manufacturer by reported lift truck sales. Komatsu broke into the forklift truck industry in the early 2000s while working with the German-based Linde Group, which led to the Komatsu Forklift Manufacturing (China) Co., Ltd being founded in 2004, to produce forklift trucks in China. Komatsu reported revenues of $1.25 billion in lift truck sales for the fiscal year of 2020.
Number 10: Clark Forklift Trucks
Clark rounds out the global top ten and has a long history in material handling stretching back to its early “Tructractor” trucks. With production facilities on four continents, Clark Material Handling has a good hold in the field of forklift manufacturing.
Founded in the USA towards the end of the first world war, employees of the Clark company built their own “Tructractor” for moving parts to different areas of the factory. So impressed by this were the customers of the Clark Equipment Company that they asked for models to be made for themselves.
Since then annual sales have continued to grow with reported sales in 2019 of $783 million placing them 10th biggest forklift manufacturer in the world.
How does the forklift brand affect operator training?
The brand matters far less than the type of truck when it comes to training, because operator competence is tied to the forklift category rather than the manufacturer. Over the years, our experience in forklift training has shown us that brand loyalty is very strong within industries that require the use of various types of lift trucks. However, a powerful influence ahead of the choice of manufacturer is likely to be getting the right machine for the task in hand, especially for independent companies and end-users.
We know from speaking to our own customers, that they increasingly expect higher levels of performance and the application of new technology to increase accuracy and productivity. And this desire filters through to the level of training they require from us for their operatives. Whichever brand you run, operators should be trained on that type of truck and then familiarised with the specific make and model they will use day to day.
So, if you want to maximise the productivity of your forklift truck workforce while ensuring they are well versed in best practice and safety measures, you’ve come to the right place – contact us on enquiries@aftt.co.uk or 01438 222157 to discuss your forklift training needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which forklift brand sells the most worldwide?
Toyota Material Handling is the biggest-selling forklift brand in the world. It reported revenues of $19.98 billion to 2020 and has been the largest material handling lift truck manufacturer for more than a decade. Its reputation rests on robust, reliable equipment sold across almost every market.
What is the best-selling forklift brand in the UK and Europe?
Linde is the biggest-selling forklift brand in the UK and across Europe. Linde now sits within the Kion Group, which is the second-largest forklift manufacturer in the world by sales revenue. That combination of a strong European brand and a large parent group is a big part of its popularity here.
Who are the top ten forklift manufacturers in the world?
By reported sales revenue the top ten are Toyota, the Kion Group (including Linde), Jungheinrich, Mitsubishi, Crown, Hyster-Yale, Anhui Heli, Hangcha, Komatsu and Clark. The list mixes Japanese, German, American and Chinese manufacturers. Rankings can shift year to year as revenue figures are updated.
Is Linde part of a larger company?
Yes. Following a demerger, Linde is now part of the Kion Group, which is made up of several forklift brands and operates in around 100 countries with about 35,000 employees. The Kion Group ranks second worldwide for forklift sales.
Which top forklift brands come from China?
Two Chinese manufacturers sit in the global top ten: Anhui Heli, the largest of the Chinese forklift producers, and Hangcha Group. Anhui Heli reported revenues of $1.44 billion in 2019 and Hangcha $1.28 billion. Both have grown steadily in recent years.
Does the forklift brand change the training an operator needs?
No. Operator training is based on the type or category of truck rather than the brand, so a counterbalance operator is trained for counterbalance trucks whatever the badge. When an operator moves to a different make or model, sensible practice is a short familiarisation on that specific machine. The core competence carries across brands within the same truck category.
Do I need separate training for each forklift truck type?
Yes. Each truck category is treated as a separate qualification, so an operator trained on one type needs conversion or additional training before using a different type. Training should always match the specific truck the operator will actually use at work. This is true regardless of which manufacturer supplies the machine.
What should I consider when choosing a forklift brand?
Start with the machine, not the badge: pick the truck that best suits the load, environment and task, then compare brands on reliability, availability of parts and service support, and running costs. Brand loyalty is common in industry, but getting the right machine for the job matters more, especially for independent companies and end-users. Whatever you choose, budget for training operators on that type of truck.
Which forklift brand offers both petrol and diesel options?
Hyster-Yale is highlighted for its flexibility in offering both petrol and diesel options, which is part of why it sells well not only in the US but also in the UK, the Middle East and South America. Offering a range of fuel types lets a manufacturer cover a wider set of buyer preferences across global markets.
Do you provide forklift training on all brands?
Yes. As an AITT-accredited training provider, we deliver training on the forklift types your operators use, whatever the manufacturer. Because competence follows the truck category rather than the brand, we can train your team on the machines already in your fleet. Contact us to discuss the specific trucks and operators you need covered.
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