Polish forklift and AGV/AMR market

AMR market size

In contrast to the automotive market, for example, we know very little about what the forklift market in Poland looks like. According to data from the Technical Inspection Authority, about 25,300 forklifts were registered in 2020. There is no newer data yet, and this number applies to all types of forklifts. The Technical Inspection Authority's data indicates that after the record-breaking year of 2018, when about 29,100 registrations were made, this number began to decline to 26,650 in 2019 and to 25,300 in 2020. However, these were years of uncertainty and investment suspension during the pandemic period. During this time, online sales accelerated rapidly and became the driving force behind the logistics industry. In 2022, a total of 20,931 forklift registrations were made. Most of them were electric-powered forklifts (12,802 units), while 8,129 units were registered for forklifts with internal combustion engines.

It is worth adding that over the last 10 years (2011-2020), the value of the entire forklift market in Poland has more than doubled and exceeded PLN 23.6 billion (USD 4.72 billion in 2020).

Import and export of forklifts to Poland

According to data from the World Bank, Poland had a significant surplus in forklift trade with other countries in 2021. The net export value (after deducting imports) was over 58 million euros. These data apply only to electric-powered forklifts.

We import the most forklifts from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. However, this does not mean that Czech forklift brands are particularly popular in Poland. If we were to analyze the market not by the country from which the forklifts actually come to us but by the country of origin of the given brand, it would turn out that many forklifts working in Polish warehouses are indeed from Germany, but a very large group consists of vehicles from China, Japan, and the United States. Foreign companies have their production facilities in Europe, so for example, from the Czech Republic, we mainly get German Still or British JCB forklifts. We also import forklifts from Germany, such as Linde, Still, Jungheinrich, as well as American Yale or Crown, which are also produced in our western neighbors. On the other hand, Japanese Toyota forklifts come to us from Sweden and Italy.

Similar distinctions should be borne in mind when analyzing the export of forklift trucks from Poland to other countries. The devices manufactured by us are mainly sold to Great Britain, Russia and Germany. However, these are mainly forklifts manufactured in Poland by foreign concerns. An example is the factory of the KION concern, located in Kołbaskowo (near the border with Germany), where Linde forklifts are manufactured.

It is interesting to compare financial data with quantitative data. in 2021 In 2017, 34,760 strollers were delivered to Poland, while exports amounted to only 4,513 units, and at the same time the balance of trade in this area amounted to EUR 58 million in plus. Such a large discrepancy is probably due to the very large number of used trucks that are imported to Poland, which, combined with the fact that mainly new advanced models are exported, gives such a result.

AGV market in Poland

The above data applies to all forklifts, without specifying AGV. The number of AGV registrations is not measured, to our knowledge, even by the polish Office of Technical Inspection. Therefore, the reference point is our own forecasts and market observations. We estimate that around 1 000 AGVs will be sold in Poland in 2023. Poland is an important logistics hub and an attractive location for foreign investments. In addition, the rapidly developing e-commerce sector means that the demand for transport systems for intralogistics, including AGV autonomous forklifts, is growing rapidly.

Global AGV market

The trend visible in Poland is in line with the global demand for autonomous vehicles for internal transport. The AGV market size is expected to reach $3.2 billion by 2026 from $2.2 billion in 2021, with a CAGR of 7.7% from 2021-2026. The segment of vehicles using laser navigation on the AGV market will have the largest share in the forecast period. The growth of the laser guided AGV market can be attributed to the flexibility, scalability and accuracy of laser guidance technology. It also improves security, increases throughput and minimizes downtime. Laser guidance is the most flexible system for vehicle movement and provides accurate navigation. Thanks to this, the vehicles can work in the warehouse without the need for invasive changes to the infrastructure.

Another analysis predicts that the global market for automated guided vehicles will reach USD 9.38 billion by 2030. According to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. the market is projected to reach a CAGR of 10.2% between 2022 and 2030. Yet another report suggests that the global market for automated guided vehicles will grow from $2.17 billion in 2022 to $4.11 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 9.6% over the forecast period. While the reports agree that the market will grow, it is probably due to different methodologies and different date ranges that the results differ slightly from each other. However, they all agree that the autonomous forklift truck market will develop extremely dynamically in the coming years.

Data sources:

• https://log4.pl/wydania/pdf/widlak_list_2021_M.pdf
• https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/automated-guided-vehicle-market-27462395.html
• https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/automated-guided-vehicle-market-to-be-worth-9-38-billion-by-2030-grand-view-research-inc-301619394.html