Ranking worldwide suppliers in the materials handling realm for the past 16 years, this is the 7th consecutive year that SSI Schaefer has been receiving this award.
Tied with SSI Schaefer for the number 1 spot in 2011, Daifuku Co. fell to number 2 in 2012 as the yen to US dollars conversion resulted in a 5% decrease over 2011 revenues. Dematic, Murata Machinery Ltd and Mecalux retained their 3rd, 4th and 5th position with revenue matching 2011’s $1.3 billion, $1.05 billion and $952 million respectively.
The top five has accounted for 50% of the 2012 list’s total worth although revenues fell by a combined $60 million—less than a percent— such a small shift might simply be due to changes in currency valuations inherent in the global nature of the industry. The overall combined revenues of the top 20 material handling systems suppliers in 2012 reflects a more modest improvement as compared to the nearly 26% jumped in 2011. The grand total of $14.66 billion grew just 4.1% over 2011’s $14.08 billion.
Making the list
To qualify for MMH's list, companies must be suppliers of materials handling systems, not just equipment providers. In addition to manufacturing at least two major handling system components, a company must also employ full-time staff that designs, installs and integrates materials handling systems. These systems include at least two of the following: transportation devices, storage and staging equipment, picking units, sortation systems, information management systems, data capture technologies and other types of handling equipment.
Companies must have a presence in North America to be considered worldwide suppliers. They must also be able to report their materials handling revenues to MMH's editors.
(Adapted from Modern Materials Handling, April 2013, Josh Bond, Associate Editor. Please click HERE for the report.)
↧