Workflow
浙商证券:AI应用催动无人叉车迎来爆发式增长 重点推荐杭叉集团等
Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-08-22 09:16

Core Viewpoint - The report from Zheshang Securities highlights the rapid growth of the logistics automation demand, positioning unmanned forklifts as the core vehicle of the third phase (automation) in the forklift industry. The penetration rate of unmanned forklifts in China is projected to be only 2% in 2024, but the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of sales from 2019 to 2024 is expected to reach 55%, indicating significant potential for unmanned forklifts to replace traditional forklifts [1][3]. Industry Overview - The forklift industry has evolved through three stages: fuel-powered, electric, and now unmanned. As of July 1, 2025, Amazon has deployed over 1 million robots globally. Unmanned forklifts accounted for 16% of mobile robot sales in 2023, primarily used in manufacturing and logistics for outdoor transportation, platform unloading, and indoor storage [1][2]. Economic Benefits - Unmanned forklifts are anticipated to enhance warehouse space utilization, improve efficiency, and reduce labor costs. Traditional forklifts require manual operation, while unmanned forklifts can operate autonomously, potentially saving 2-3 forklift drivers per unit, with an average labor cost of approximately 100,000 yuan per year for a forklift operator [2]. Market Size and Growth - The penetration rate of unmanned forklifts in China is projected to be 1.9% in 2024, with a sales volume of 24,500 units, reflecting a 26% year-on-year growth and a CAGR of 55% from 2019 to 2024. In comparison, the overall forklift market in China is expected to see total sales of 1.2855 million units in 2024, a 9.5% increase year-on-year, with a CAGR of 16% from 2019 to 2024 [3]. Competitive Landscape - In 2023, only 8% of companies in China achieved sales exceeding 100 million yuan. The main participants in the unmanned forklift market include traditional forklift manufacturers, AGV/AMR companies, and system integrators. Key players in China include Hangcha Group, Anhui Heli, and Zhongli Co., among others [3].