2025-09-24 09:35Summary of Forklift Industry Conference Call Industry Overview - The forklift industry is experiencing a significant growth trend in the unmanned forklift segment, with leading companies like Hangcha and Heli actively investing in this area and collaborating with technology firms such as Jiushi Intelligent and Xidi Zhijia to develop relevant technologies [1][3][5] - The global market for forklifts is showing a demand split, with retail, e-commerce, and logistics accounting for approximately 50% of the market share. Domestic sales are recovering due to policy-driven demand for upgrades, while exports continue to grow steadily [1][6] Key Insights - The unmanned forklift segment is expected to see substantial growth in the second half of 2025, with a low penetration rate currently but significant potential for expansion. The year 2025 is referred to as the "Year of Unmanned Forklifts" [3][9] - Lithium battery-driven large forklifts have seen sales growth exceeding 40%, with the lithium battery penetration rate for large models rising to over 30% since 2018. The trend of lithium battery replacing internal combustion engines is expected to continue [1][7] - The unmanned forklift industry is characterized by low penetration and high growth, driven by technological advancements such as laser navigation and machine vision, as well as economic benefits [3][12] Company Developments - Hangcha has made significant progress in unmanned technology, owning Guozhi Robotics and collaborating with Huawei to develop intelligent solutions. Heli is also partnering with various tech companies to advance unmanned technology [5][19] - Both companies are expected to be among the first to achieve mass production of robots, supported by favorable policies [5][20] Market Dynamics - The demand for traditional and lithium battery-driven electric forklifts is showing clear differentiation, with a notable recovery in domestic sales driven by policy support [6][19] - The average price of AGVs has decreased significantly from 600,000 yuan in 2018 to 220,000 yuan in 2023, while the average price of unmanned forklifts remains lower than that of AGVs, indicating a potential for cost reduction and margin improvement [13] Future Outlook - The development of unmanned mining trucks and unmanned logistics vehicles presents vast opportunities, with these devices capable of performing complex tasks in industrial settings [8] - The industry is expected to see a market opportunity worth hundreds of billions, providing a chance for valuation re-evaluation for related companies [8][20] Financial Performance - Heli is projected to achieve a performance of 1.6 billion yuan next year, corresponding to a 12x valuation, while Hangcha is expected to reach 2.5 billion yuan, corresponding to a 15x valuation. Both companies have significant growth potential, with estimates suggesting a 50% increase in market value [19][20] Conclusion - The unmanned forklift segment is poised for rapid growth, driven by technological advancements and favorable market conditions. Companies like Hangcha and Heli are well-positioned to capitalize on these trends, with strong potential for valuation increases and market share expansion [20][21]