According to Modern Materials Handling’s 12th annual ranking of worldwide materials handling system suppliers, SSI Schaefer has been ranked the number one supplier in the world for materials handling for the third year in a row.
With USD 2.51 billion in revenue, SSI Schaefer retains the top ranking for the third consecutive year. The most significant news for the group, besides attaining the award-winning sales result, was the acquisition of systems integrator and software provider Salomon Automation in October 2008.
Each year, SSI Schaefer has been increasing its global market presence. The growth has been most noticeable in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions, where double-digit growth rates have prevailed for the past three years.
SSI Schaefer established its Indian sales office in Mumbai in August, with the new regional headquarter building in Dubai Logistics City about to start construction, despite economic uncertainties, in order to better serve the expanding Middle Eastern and African markets. A new sales branch office is also on the plans for Saudi Arabia.
To qualify for Modern’s list, companies must be suppliers of materials handling systems, not just equipment providers. In addition to manufacturing at least two major handling system components, a company must also employ full-time staff that designs, installs and integrates materials handling systems.
These systems include at least two of the following: transportation devices, storage and staging equipment, picking units, sortation systems, information management systems, data capture technologies, and other types of handling equipment. Companies must have a presence in North America to be considered worldwide suppliers. They must also be able to report their materials handling revenues to MMH.