Forklift manufacturing is a global industry, but production is heavily concentrated in two major hubs: China and the United States. While the US focuses on heavy-duty internal combustion and large electric trucks for the North American market, China has become the dominant force in global production, particularly for smaller electric warehouse equipment and lithium-ion technology. Here is a look at the major manufacturing centers, who builds what, and where.
The Rise of China: The World’s Forklift Factory
China produces the vast majority of the world’s forklifts, especially in the Class III (electric pallet jacks) and smaller electric counterbalance categories. The manufacturing is concentrated in the Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Hubei provinces. Unlike the single-factory model of western companies, many Chinese manufacturers operate sprawling campuses that integrate component fabrication, painting, assembly, and testing on a massive scale.
EP Equipment: As a dominant force in global manufacturing, EP operates six factories across China, covering over 700,000㎡. Their flagship facility in Anji is described as the industry’s first intelligent factory to integrate digitalization with manufacturing . EP’s plants produce Class I, II, III, and V trucks, as well as the autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that build them. The Anji South plant alone is responsible for a significant portion of the world’s Class III warehouse equipment .
Noblelift: Headquartered in Changxing, Zhejiang (just 1.5 hours from Shanghai), Noblelift is the world’s largest manufacturer of hand pallet trucks. They operate 390,000㎡ of manufacturing space in China plus overseas plants in Malaysia, Vietnam, and France. The company is a major supplier of Class I/II/III forklifts and has been publicly listed since 2015 .
KION Baoli: This brand leverages the engineering of the German KION Group (parent company of Linde) with the cost-efficiency of Chinese manufacturing. Baoli produces a full range of diesel, electric, and warehouse trucks in a 340,000㎡ smart factory in Jinan, Shandong province .
Strategic Partnerships: Even western giants rely on Chinese manufacturing. Jungheinrich’s entry-level "AntOn" series is produced by EP Equipment in Anji specifically for global markets, highlighting how advanced Chinese manufacturing has become .
United States: The Hub for Heavy-Duty and Custom Manufacturing
North American manufacturing focuses on larger equipment, internal combustion engines, and models designed specifically for the American market’s preference for heavy-duty applications.
Toyota Material Handling: The largest manufacturer in the world is doubling down on US production. Toyota broke ground on a new $100 million, 295,000 sq-ft facility in Columbus, Indiana (scheduled for completion in 2026). This plant is specifically dedicated to electric forklift production to meet the surging demand for electrification in North America. They already produce 170 forklifts per day at their existing Indiana headquarters .
Linde Material Handling: While a German brand, Linde manufactures specific models for the US market right here in North America. Since 1985, their Summerville, South Carolina facility has been producing trucks engineered for the "unique demands of the North American market," such as the HT25T-HT35T internal combustion series . A detailed look inside their assembly lines shows the use of advanced Demag KBK crane systems and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to move chassis and heavy components like counterweights .
Inside the Factory Floor: How They Are Built
Regardless of the brand, modern forklift factories are becoming highly automated, though they rely on a blend of robotics and human skill.
Precision Assembly: In EP’s "Forklift Division," chassis are assembled with integrated control and hydraulic systems. Here, overhead guards and masts are produced on dedicated lines. After assembly, every forklift undergoes "rigorous calibration tests" including chassis strength, brakes, motor performance, and hydraulic leak tests .
Hybrid Automation: It is a myth that robots build everything. While EP uses 45 sets of robots and 180 mobile robots for material transport, the critical final assembly is largely manual. Workers with experience and precision install complex components like steering shafts and wiring harnesses .
Heavy-Duty Engineering: Factories building large forklifts (like those over 10 tons) must solve unique logistical problems. The "Heavy forklift chassis assembly production line" uses specialized hydraulic assemblies to tilt the entire assembly track, allowing the massive chassis to move by gravity rather than requiring heavy, complex engines on the carrier itself .
The Painting Process: Color is often the final touch. For example, steel parts are cleaned, primed, and then given their specific color—such as the distinctive purple of the Jungheinrich AntOn series—before assembly .
Summary of Major Factories
Manufacturer Primary Location(s) Key Focus
EP Equipment Anji, Jingjiang, Hubei (China) Global leader in electric pallet jacks (Class III) and lithium-ion technology.
Noblelift Changxing (China), Malaysia, France Hand pallet trucks and broad electric forklift lineup (Classes I, II, III).
Toyota Columbus, Indiana (USA) Heavy-duty electric and internal combustion trucks for the American market.
Linde (KION) Summerville, SC (USA) & Germany Premium internal combustion trucks designed for North American heavy industries.
Baoli (KION) Jinan, Shandong (China) Value-oriented diesel and electric forklifts combining KION tech with Chinese manufacturing.
Jungheinrich Germany & China (via EP) Premium warehouse equipment in Germany; entry-level "AntOn" series made in China.
The bottom line: If you are buying a heavy-duty internal combustion forklift, it was likely made in the US or Europe. However, the vast majority of smaller "warehouse" forklifts (electric pallet jacks, stackers, and small counterbalance trucks) are manufactured in China’s Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, even if they are sold under Western brand names.