MHI, Oxford Economics Material Handling Report

MHI, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, has released an updated “Handling the US Economy: The Economic Impact of the Material Handling Industry” report.

This in-depth analysis explores how the material handling sector contributes to the broader U.S. economy and supports the supply chain infrastructure.

• To download the report, please visit mhi.org/hub/marketintelligence.

The report reveals that the industry’s economic impact reaches far beyond the facilities where equipment and technologies are manufactured or designed. Its influence spans multiple sectors, driving job creation, tax revenue, and GDP growth.

John Paxton, CEO, MHI

In 2018, when MHI and Oxford Economics produced the first ever analysis report, it was reported that the economic contribution of the U.S. material handling industry amounted to more than $173.2 billion in GDP. In 2024, the material handling industry has seen significant growth and now contributes $266 billion to the US GDP, supports more than 1.9 million jobs, and generates $58.3 billion in tax revenues.

The GDP multiplier for the industry is 3.6. This means that for every $100 directly contributed by the industry, an additional $260 is generated elsewhere in the US economy. The jobs multiplier is 3.7, which indicates that for every 10 jobs directly created by the material handling industry, an additional 27 jobs are supported throughout the broader US economy.

The report also highlights notable employment growth within the industry. In 2024, the industry directly employed 502,000 workers—an increase from 402,000 in 2018. Of those, manufacturers represented the largest share at 84% (422,000 employees), followed by dealers at 8.3% (approximately 42,000 employees), and service providers at 7.8% (around 39,000 employees).

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“This report highlights the essential role the material handling industry plays in driving economic growth. Beyond providing the equipment and technology that moves and delivers goods, the industry provides valuable support services—including consulting, leasing, and design—that enhance efficiency and generate added value throughout the supply chain and the broader economy,” said John Paxton, Chief Executive Officer of MHI.

“The insights in this report will help to support your businesses decisions moving forward.”

• To download the report, please visit mhi.org/hub/marketintelligence.