Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Size and Outlook 2031

Report Description

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 55.56 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	10.11%
Fastest Growing Segment	Automotive
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 99.02 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market will grow from USD 55.56 Billion in 2025 to USD 99.02 Billion by 2031 at a 10.11% CAGR. Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment comprises integrated systems that manage the movement, storage, and control of materials throughout manufacturing and distribution processes without direct human intervention. The market is primarily supported by the critical need to enhance supply chain resilience, mitigate persistent labor shortages, and ensure operational safety in high-velocity environments. These distinct drivers foster growth beyond temporary industry trends. According to the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association, in 2024, the global export volume of intralogistics equipment reached 123.5 billion euros marking a 1% annual increase.

However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the substantial initial capital investment required for deployment. The extensive costs associated with procuring hardware, integrating software, and retrofitting infrastructure often act as a barrier for Small and Medium Enterprises. This financial constraint forces companies to perform rigorous return on investment analyses which can delay implementation and limit the overall market reach of automation solutions.

Key Market Drivers

The exponential growth of global e-commerce and omnichannel retail creates an urgent requirement for high-speed, accurate order fulfillment solutions within the logistics sector. As consumer expectations for same-day delivery intensify, distribution centers must utilize automated systems to manage massive SKU proliferation and fluctuating parcel volumes effectively. This demand surge directly propels the adoption of autonomous mobile robots and automated sortation systems to augment throughput and replace manual picking processes in high-velocity environments. According to the International Federation of Robotics, September 2024, in the 'World Robotics 2024: Service Robots' report, sales of professional service robots specifically for transportation and logistics applications increased by 35% to nearly 113,000 units in 2023.

Escalating labor costs and persistent workforce shortages further necessitate the transition toward fully automated operational frameworks. Organizations face significant difficulty recruiting and retaining staff for repetitive, physically demanding warehouse tasks, compelling them to invest in material handling equipment that ensures continuity and reduces dependency on human resources. According to The Descartes Systems Group Inc., March 2024, in the 'How Bad Is the Supply Chain and Logistics Workforce Challenge?' report, 76% of supply chain and logistics leaders indicated they are currently facing notable workforce shortages. To counter these operational risks and enhance efficiency, companies are accelerating capital expenditures on technology. According to Rockwell Automation, in 2024, 83% of manufacturers surveyed expected to increase their investment in smart manufacturing and automation technologies to address these systemic production challenges.

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Key Market Challenges

High initial capital investment represents a formidable barrier to the expansion of the Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market. The deployment of these systems requires substantial upfront expenditure not only for procuring machinery such as robotic arms and automated guided vehicles but also for integrating control software and retrofitting existing facility infrastructure. For Small and Medium Enterprises, these expenses often exceed available liquidity, forcing them to defer modernization projects. This financial strain necessitates rigorous return-on-investment calculations that prolong the decision-making cycle and stall potential market adoption.

This reluctance to commit to large-scale capital projects is evident in recent industrial performance metrics. According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), in the first half of 2024, North American robot orders declined by 7.9% in units and 6.8% in revenue compared to the same period in the previous year. This contraction highlights how elevated borrowing costs and economic uncertainty directly correlate with a reduction in capital equipment procurement, thereby decelerating the overall growth trajectory of the automated material handling sector.

Key Market Trends

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping the Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market by transitioning systems from rigid, programmed instruction to dynamic, autonomous decision-making. Unlike traditional automated guided vehicles that rely on fixed paths, AI-powered autonomous mobile robots utilize machine learning algorithms to process real-time environmental data, enabling them to optimize routes instantaneously and navigate complex warehouse layouts without physical infrastructure changes. This technological advancement also empowers predictive maintenance capabilities, allowing systems to anticipate component failures before they disrupt operations. According to Rockwell Automation, June 2025, in the '10th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report', 95% of manufacturers have invested in or plan to invest in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies over the next five years to enhance operational resilience.

Concurrently, the rise of Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) models is democratizing access to automation by shifting financial structures from significant capital expenditures to manageable operational expenses. This subscription-based paradigm allows organizations, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises, to deploy advanced robotic fleets without the extensive upfront costs traditionally associated with system ownership. By aligning costs with actual usage and offering scalable deployment options, RaaS mitigates the financial risks of technology adoption and accelerates the implementation of automated workflows. The market impact of this shift is substantial; according to the International Federation of Robotics, October 2025, in the 'World Robotics 2025: Service Robots' report, the deployment of robots under Robotics-as-a-Service models registered a growth rate of 42% in 2024.

Segmental Insights

The automotive sector currently represents the fastest-growing segment within the Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market. This expansion is largely driven by the accelerating transition toward electric vehicle manufacturing, which requires the precise movement of heavy components like battery packs. Major producers are adopting automated guided vehicles and robotic systems to optimize assembly lines while ensuring strict adherence to workplace safety standards. Furthermore, the integration of Industry 4.0 practices necessitates automated workflows to reduce operational errors. These factors collectively compel automotive facilities to invest in automation to support high-volume production requirements.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds the leading position in the Global Automated Material Handling Equipment Market, primarily due to rapid industrialization and the significant expansion of the e-commerce sector in major economies like China and India. Government programs aimed at modernizing manufacturing infrastructure facilitate the widespread adoption of automation to enhance operational efficiency. Rising labor expenses further compel regional manufacturers to implement automated systems to maintain cost competitiveness. Consequently, substantial investments in logistics and supply chain upgrades continue to strengthen the market presence of Asia Pacific, establishing it as the central hub for industry development.

Recent Developments

In February 2025, Hai Robotics launched the HaiPick Climb, a new climbing robot solution designed to simplify the implementation of goods-to-person automation in warehouses. The system utilizes the HaiClimber robot, which can navigate vertically along standard racking, allowing facilities to retrofit their existing storage infrastructure with minimal modifications. By eliminating the need for extensive facility alterations, this solution aims to reduce the time and cost associated with deploying automated storage and retrieval systems. The company stated that the technology increases throughput and storage density while eliminating the need for manual travel during order picking processes.
In February 2025, Dematic entered into a strategic partnership with Transcend Retail Solutions to advance automation in the grocery sector. This collaboration integrates Dematic’s global supply chain technologies with Transcend’s specialized software for micro-fulfillment centers. The joint initiative focuses on optimizing online grocery fulfillment by deploying systems that enhance picking accuracy and operational speed. Through this agreement, the companies aim to provide retailers with scalable solutions that address the complexities of e-commerce demands. The partnership leverages combined expertise to refine hardware and software interactions, ensuring more efficient processing of high-volume grocery orders.
In November 2024, Geek+ collaborated with Intel to introduce the industry’s first vision-only robot solution equipped with visual navigation modules. This new autonomous mobile robot leverages depth perception technology and deep learning algorithms to navigate complex logistics environments without relying on traditional laser radar systems. The integration allows the robots to achieve high-precision positioning and obstacle avoidance, making them adaptable to dynamic warehouse settings. The company highlighted that this visual navigation technology significantly reduces the deployment cycle for automation projects and provides a flexible solution for enterprises seeking to digitize their supply chain operations.
In October 2024, Symbotic announced commercial agreements to implement its automated warehouse systems for Walmart de México y Centroamérica. Under these contracts, the company will deploy its artificial intelligence-powered robotic case picking technology at two greenfield distribution centers near Mexico City. The project is designed to modernize the retailer's supply chain network by increasing inventory accuracy, boosting storage capacity, and accelerating the shipment of goods to stores. This initiative marks a significant expansion of the company's footprint into the Mexican market, supporting the retailer’s objective to enhance productivity and safety within its logistics operations.

Key Market Players

Daifuku Co., Ltd. (Japan)
KION Group AG
SSI SCHAEFER
Toyota Industries Corporation
Dematic
Honeywell International Inc.
Murata Machinery, Ltd.
Beumer Group GmbH & Co. KG
Swisslog
KNAPP AG

By Product	By System Type	By Function	By Industry	By Region
Robots ASRS Conveyors & Sortation Systems Cranes WMS AGV	Unit Load Material Handling System Bulk Load Material Handling System	Storage Transportation Assembly Others	Automotive Metals & Heavy Machinery Food & Beverages Chemicals Healthcare Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Semiconductors & Electronics Aviation E-Commerce	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market, By Product:

Robots
ASRS
Conveyors & Sortation Systems
Cranes
WMS
AGV

Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market, By System Type:

Unit Load Material Handling System
Bulk Load Material Handling System

Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market, By Function:

Storage
Transportation
Assembly
Others

Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market, By Industry:

Automotive
Metals & Heavy Machinery
Food & Beverages
Chemicals
Healthcare
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
Semiconductors & Electronics
Aviation
E-Commerce

Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market, By Region:

North America

United States
Canada
Mexico

Europe

France
United Kingdom
Italy
Germany
Spain

Asia Pacific

China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea

South America

Brazil
Argentina
Colombia

Middle East & Africa

South Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]

Table of content

1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Market

1.2.1. Markets Covered

1.2.2. Years Considered for Study

1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study

2.2. Baseline Methodology

2.3. Key Industry Partners

2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources

2.5. Forecasting Methodology

2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation

2.7. Assumptions and Limitations

3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market

3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations

3.3. Overview of Key Market Players

3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries

3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast

5.1.1. By Value

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Product (Robots, ASRS, Conveyors & Sortation Systems, Cranes, WMS, AGV)

5.2.2. By System Type (Unit Load Material Handling System, Bulk Load Material Handling System)

5.2.3. By Function (Storage, Transportation, Assembly, Others)

5.2.4. By Industry (Automotive, Metals & Heavy Machinery, Food & Beverages, Chemicals, Healthcare, Third-Party Logistics (3PL), Semiconductors & Electronics, Aviation, E-Commerce)

5.2.5. By Region

5.2.6. By Company (2025)

5.3. Market Map

6. North America Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Product

6.2.2. By System Type

6.2.3. By Function

6.2.4. By Industry

6.2.5. By Country

6.3. North America: Country Analysis

6.3.1. United States Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

6.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.1.1.1. By Value

6.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.1.2.1. By Product

6.3.1.2.2. By System Type

6.3.1.2.3. By Function

6.3.1.2.4. By Industry

6.3.2. Canada Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

6.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.2.1.1. By Value

6.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.2.2.1. By Product

6.3.2.2.2. By System Type

6.3.2.2.3. By Function

6.3.2.2.4. By Industry

6.3.3. Mexico Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

6.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.3.1.1. By Value

6.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.3.2.1. By Product

6.3.3.2.2. By System Type

6.3.3.2.3. By Function

6.3.3.2.4. By Industry

7. Europe Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Product

7.2.2. By System Type

7.2.3. By Function

7.2.4. By Industry

7.2.5. By Country

7.3. Europe: Country Analysis

7.3.1. Germany Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.1.1.1. By Value

7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.1.2.1. By Product

7.3.1.2.2. By System Type

7.3.1.2.3. By Function

7.3.1.2.4. By Industry

7.3.2. France Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.2.1.1. By Value

7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.2.2.1. By Product

7.3.2.2.2. By System Type

7.3.2.2.3. By Function

7.3.2.2.4. By Industry

7.3.3. United Kingdom Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.3.1.1. By Value

7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.3.2.1. By Product

7.3.3.2.2. By System Type

7.3.3.2.3. By Function

7.3.3.2.4. By Industry

7.3.4. Italy Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

7.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.4.1.1. By Value

7.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.4.2.1. By Product

7.3.4.2.2. By System Type

7.3.4.2.3. By Function

7.3.4.2.4. By Industry

7.3.5. Spain Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

7.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.5.1.1. By Value

7.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.5.2.1. By Product

7.3.5.2.2. By System Type

7.3.5.2.3. By Function

7.3.5.2.4. By Industry

8. Asia Pacific Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Product

8.2.2. By System Type

8.2.3. By Function

8.2.4. By Industry

8.2.5. By Country

8.3. Asia Pacific: Country Analysis

8.3.1. China Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.1.1.1. By Value

8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.1.2.1. By Product

8.3.1.2.2. By System Type

8.3.1.2.3. By Function

8.3.1.2.4. By Industry

8.3.2. India Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.2.1.1. By Value

8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.2.2.1. By Product

8.3.2.2.2. By System Type

8.3.2.2.3. By Function

8.3.2.2.4. By Industry

8.3.3. Japan Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.3.1.1. By Value

8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.3.2.1. By Product

8.3.3.2.2. By System Type

8.3.3.2.3. By Function

8.3.3.2.4. By Industry

8.3.4. South Korea Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.4.1.1. By Value

8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.4.2.1. By Product

8.3.4.2.2. By System Type

8.3.4.2.3. By Function

8.3.4.2.4. By Industry

8.3.5. Australia Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.5.1.1. By Value

8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.5.2.1. By Product

8.3.5.2.2. By System Type

8.3.5.2.3. By Function

8.3.5.2.4. By Industry

9. Middle East & Africa Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Product

9.2.2. By System Type

9.2.3. By Function

9.2.4. By Industry

9.2.5. By Country

9.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis

9.3.1. Saudi Arabia Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.1.1.1. By Value

9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.1.2.1. By Product

9.3.1.2.2. By System Type

9.3.1.2.3. By Function

9.3.1.2.4. By Industry

9.3.2. UAE Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.2.1.1. By Value

9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.2.2.1. By Product

9.3.2.2.2. By System Type

9.3.2.2.3. By Function

9.3.2.2.4. By Industry

9.3.3. South Africa Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.3.1.1. By Value

9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.3.2.1. By Product

9.3.3.2.2. By System Type

9.3.3.2.3. By Function

9.3.3.2.4. By Industry

10. South America Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.1.1. By Value

10.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.2.1. By Product

10.2.2. By System Type

10.2.3. By Function

10.2.4. By Industry

10.2.5. By Country

10.3. South America: Country Analysis

10.3.1. Brazil Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.1.1.1. By Value

10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.1.2.1. By Product

10.3.1.2.2. By System Type

10.3.1.2.3. By Function

10.3.1.2.4. By Industry

10.3.2. Colombia Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.2.1.1. By Value

10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.2.2.1. By Product

10.3.2.2.2. By System Type

10.3.2.2.3. By Function

10.3.2.2.4. By Industry

10.3.3. Argentina Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market Outlook

10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.3.1.1. By Value

10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.3.2.1. By Product

10.3.3.2.2. By System Type

10.3.3.2.3. By Function

10.3.3.2.4. By Industry

11. Market Dynamics

11.1. Drivers

11.2. Challenges

12. Market Trends & Developments

12.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any)

12.2. Product Launches (If Any)

12.3. Recent Developments

13. Global Automated Material Handling (AMH) Equipment Market: SWOT Analysis

14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

14.1. Competition in the Industry

14.2. Potential of New Entrants

14.3. Power of Suppliers

14.4. Power of Customers

14.5. Threat of Substitute Products

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. Daifuku Co., Ltd. (Japan)

15.1.1. Business Overview

15.1.2. Products & Services

15.1.3. Recent Developments

15.1.4. Key Personnel

15.1.5. SWOT Analysis

15.2. KION Group AG

15.3. SSI SCHAEFER

15.4. Toyota Industries Corporation

15.5. Dematic

15.6. Honeywell International Inc.

15.7. Murata Machinery, Ltd.

15.8. Beumer Group GmbH & Co. KG

15.9. Swisslog

15.10. KNAPP AG

16. Strategic Recommendations

17. About Us & Disclaimer

Report Description

Table of content

Figures and Tables

Frequently asked questions

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