Material Handling Equipment Manufacturers NAICS 333921, 333922, 333923, 333924

Nov 30, 2025 - Robot Orders Rose in Q3

• Robot orders rose in Q3 as manufacturers invested in automation to offset labor shortages, improve throughput, and strengthen supply chains, according to the Association for Advancing Automation. In Q3, 8,806 robots valued at $574 million were ordered, an 11.6% increase in units and a 17.2% jump in revenue compared to Q3 2024. The increase signals a healthier capital-investment environment across multiple industries, notably food, consumer goods, metals, and general manufacturing. Rising robot demand is an important leading indicator for materials-handling equipment makers because it suggests that facilities are accelerating automation projects that typically include not only robotic arms but also conveyors, automated storage systems, autonomous mobile robots, palletizers, and integrated handling solutions. Also, higher robot adoption drives demand for engineered handling equipment, sensors, safety systems, software, and integration services, creating long-term opportunities for the industry.
• Confidence among equipment finance executives remained high in November, marking six straight months of optimism, Modern Materials Handling reports citing data from the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. The foundation’s latest Monthly Confidence Index (MCI) posted a reading of 59.9, nearly matching October’s 60.1, signaling steady investment appetite across industrial sectors. For makers of materials handling equipment sustained confidence suggests a continued willingness among customers to lease or finance new machinery despite economic uncertainty. Strong financing sentiment typically translates into healthier order pipelines and less hesitation from distributors and warehouse operators to upgrade fleets. It also supports demand for higher-value automated equipment, which often relies heavily on financing. Stable confidence reduces the likelihood of sudden project deferrals that can disrupt production cycles. Overall, the current environment provides a supportive backdrop for materials-handling OEMs, helping maintain utilization rates, encourage technology upgrades, and underpin growth in warehouse modernization and automation projects.

• Overall spending on nonresidential buildings (not adjusted for inflation) is expected to increase only 1.7% this year and grow very modestly to just 2% in 2026, according to the American Institute of Architects Consensus Construction Forecast, which gathers projections from contractors, banks, and rating agencies, among others. The commercial sector outlook is projected to increase 1.5% this year, rising to 3.9% in 2026. Construction spending on manufacturing facilities is projected to decline 2% this year and again by 2.6% next year. Institutional facilities are expected to be the strongest sector with projected gains of 6.1% in 2025 and 3.8% in 2026. The AIA report cites tariffs and high levels of economic uncertainty for the gloomy outlook. An even greater concern than tariffs is the impact immigration policy might have on labor markets and on construction specifically, per the report.
• Producer prices for material handling equipment manufacturers rose 5.2% in August compared to a year ago, after rising 3.1% in the previous August-versus-August annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Producer prices for makers of materials handling equipment have been rising steadily for four years to record highs. Meanwhile, employment by the industry shrank 2.8% year over year in July, while average wages at machinery manufacturers rose 3.6% YoY in August to a new high of $30.69 per hour, BLS data show.