*This article is based on the former versions of "The impact of tire wear" and "The impact of tire wear and when to replace your tires: training video series". The text was updated in June 2025.

When keeping track of the various powerful, hard-working components of an industrial forklift, it's easy to overlook some of the most subtle, yet crucial pieces: the tires.

They may not seem impressive but think about this: it is estimated that the average drive tire on a forklift carries more than 9,600 lbs., and unlike other vehicles, forklifts have no suspension systems to dissipate shock loads. The tires absorb every ounce of your forklift and its load, making it crucial to ensure they're safe to use at all times.

*This article is based on the former version of "Leading trends observed in the Material Handling industry". The text was updated in June 2025.

The forklift industry has existed for over a century. From basic, single-purpose machines, they have evolved into sophisticated systems used across an expanding range of industrial sectors and applications.

Expectations include handling heavier loads, moving them faster, and lifting them to greater heights. Forklifts are increasingly managed as part of industrial and commercial fleet operations rather than mere tools of the trade. As new technologies emerge, tire requirements evolve.

Current industry trends converge around four major axes that profoundly shape expectations for tire and mobility solutions.