Founded in 1953, FEM is the voice of the European manufacturers of materials handling, lifting and storage equipment. Today, FEM defends and promotes the interests of 13 national committees in Europe, representing some 1,000 companies (around 80% of the European materials handling industry in value). These companies generate a production value of more than €65 billion (EU27, 2008). They employ 160,000 people directly, and many more indirectly with distributors, agents and subcontractors.