Asia Pacific (APAC) Automated Material Handling Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Products (Automated Guided Vehicles (Towing Vehicles, Unit Load Vehicles, Pallet Trucks, Fork Trucks, Assembly Line Vehicles, Others), Automated Storage And Retrieval Systems (Unit Load, Mini Load, Horizontal Carousels, Vertical Carousels, Robotic AS/RS, Others), Software, Services), By Industry (Manufacturing, Medical & Healthcare, Electronics & Semiconductor, Chemicals, Food & Beverages, Warehousing, Automotive, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2024 To 2029

The Asia Pacific (APAC) automated material handling market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.17%, reaching a market size of US$11.732 billion in 2029 from US$7.567 billion in 2024.

Automated material handling is a part of the manufacturing process that acquires raw materials and ships them to the intended customer. It has ousted human workers from within the plant. With its capacity to enhance productivity, scalability, and operational efficiency, automated material handling reduces the probability of mistakes or defects. The term “material handling equipment” refers to the machines involved in the automated material handling process. Their core tasks throughout all stages of production, disposal, and consumption are safeguarding, storing, or managing materials and transporting goods or merchandise. A positive change in the market for automated material handling is projected owing to rising labor costs, concerns about safety, and the emergence of rival companies offering robotic warehouse automation services.

Demand for material handling robots heighten herewith an aim of improving productivity. Manufacturing firms are able to streamline their production processes through using fast and accurate handlers which swiftly perform all sorts of work involved with pallets such as stacking, picking, sorting or packing among others. One more thing that drives growth is increased expenditure by companies on research and development aimed at improving the capabilities and efficiency of material-handling robots. In addition, these robots now execute complex operations as a result of advanced AI and ML. In addition, it is anticipated that skilled labour availability and government policies enticing automation into manufacturing will significantly enhance this growth.

Asia Pacific Automated Material Handling Market Drivers:

• Growing presence of start-up companies providing robotic solutions for warehouse automation

The increasing acceptance of robotic systems significantly contributes to the demand for automatic handling systems, especially in warehousing and storage processes. This is because these systems enable consumers to move goods quickly and securely in warehouses and factories while at the same time ensuring safety and security along a process chain that extends from when goods leave production through to their actual endpoints. The Internet establishes a connection between the robotic appliances that comprise the warehouse concept and the connected network devices that control them. Because of the growing idea of the Internet of Things (IoT), one of the emerging markets for robotics manufacturing companies is the material handling sector.

• Evolution of Industry 4.0 and Smart Factories is Fueling Product Demand

In the future, smart factories are poised to drive growth within the material handling industry. Hence, at all levels of production processes, including picking, sorting, and conveying systems, monitoring for operational efficiency and reduction of wastage has become imperative. Such situations call for process monitoring at every level through automated systems that are integrated into them. Furthermore, several user-friendly technologies embedded in these material handling systems, such as data analytics and cloud connectivity, enhance asset performance and provide timely actionable information. The electrical systems provide wireless remote control, thus speeding up commissioning and enhancing diagnostics by integrating these automated systems with existing facilities.

• Rising E-commerce Industry is Favoring Market Growth

Process automation is in high demand due to the world's e-commerce market’s explosive growth. Prominent suppliers like Amazon, Walmart, and others are progressively incorporating automated solutions to execute tasks in a safe, accurate, economical, and efficient manner. In addition, one of the main factors supporting this market's growth is the expansion of the manufacturing sector.

Asia Pacific Automated Material Handling Market Restraints:

• High Integration and Switching Costs of Automated Material Handling Equipment Hinder the Market Growth

The market for automated material handling equipment faces challenges due to the significant initial investment required. Businesses find it challenging to invest in AMH equipment due to the associated costs, which include installation, integration of intelligent sensors and software solutions, after-sales services, and timely maintenance. Additionally, due to factors like low production output and investment returns, reorganizing existing warehouses, facility designs, and others, small and medium-sized businesses find transitioning from conventional material handling to automated products challenging.

Asia Pacific Automated Material Handling Market Geographical Outlook

• China is witnessing exponential growth during the forecast period

China has played a significant role in expanding the automated material handling market in the Asia Pacific area. The market is expanding favourably as a result of the rising demand for automated material handling products in various industries, including manufacturing, automotive, and e-commerce. China, with its massive population, has a substantial industrial policy. This country has been at the forefront of the world in terms of exports, imports, and trade by purchasing power parity for nearly ten years. In summary, it is transitioning from an economy based on manufacturing and construction to one emphasizing consumption.

Asia Pacific Automated Material Handling Market key launches

• In February 2022, VisionNav's vision-guided, counterbalanced VNP15 automated forklift was added to the expanding portfolio of autonomous warehouse robots from Wise Robotics, a flexible warehouse automation solutions provider. The cutting-edge VNP15 automates material handling, storage, and retrieval using vision-based intelligence. Because of its technology, it learns and navigates existing infrastructure, significantly enhancing flexibility. It can easily be deployed with a few site modifications.
• In January 2022, Wise Robotics, a company that provides flexible warehouse automation solutions, partnered with VisionNav, a global leader in vision-guided autonomous robotic forklifts, to boost innovation in UK warehouses. This will assist UK operators in meeting well-documented supply chain challenges by increasing order fulfillment and lowering ongoing warehouse operating costs.

The Asia Pacific Automated Material Handling market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

• By-Products
  • Automated Guided Vehicles
    • Towing Vehicles
    • Unit Load Vehicles
    • Pallet Trucks
    • Fork Trucks
    • Assembly Line Vehicles
    • Others
  • Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems
    • Unit Load
    • Mini Load
    • Horizontal Carousels
    • Vertical Carousels
    • Robotic AS/RS
    • Others
  • Software
  • Services
• By Industry
  • Manufacturing
  • Medical & Healthcare
  • Electronics & Semiconductor
  • Chemicals
  • Food & Beverages
  • Warehousing
  • Automotive
  • Others
• By Geography
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Indonesia
  • Others