Construction equuipment market improves

The German manufacturers association, VDMA, has compiled data suggesting that following the slump in construction equipment sales in 2009, the market will recover in 2010. The VDMA reports that in 2009 German construction equipment sales fell in by some 43% to €9.5 billion. Dr Christof Kemmann, VDMA chairman said at a recent board meeting of the organisation, “...2009 has been the most difficult year ever for our industry.”
May 14, 2012
The German manufacturers association, 1331 VDMA, has compiled data suggesting that following the slump in construction equipment sales in 2009, the market will recover in 2010.

The VDMA reports that in 2009 German construction equipment sales fell in by some 43% to €9.5 billion.

Dr Christof Kemmann, VDMA chairman said at a recent board meeting of the organisation, “...2009 has been the most difficult year ever for our industry.”

The building sector was particularly hard hit, with sales of equipment dropping 51% to €5.3 billion compared to the previous year. For construction equipment sales fell by 18% to €4.2 billion. For both sectors, incoming orders dropped significantly, 46% for construction equipment and 58% for building material machinery.

The markets for earthmoving and road construction machinery stabilised by the end of the year however. Exports were badly affected with demand from Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Spain for example all falling considerably. Exports across the industry fell by 46% compared to the previous year, although domestic sales only fell by 33%.

Because of this slump in sales outside Germany the export ratio shifted and now is 66% for construction equipment. However the VDMA forecasts that market performance in 2010 will improve. Manufacturers of construction machinery are expecting a slight increase in turnover of some 5%. “Even a slight growth will not prevent the industry from reaching a level that will be far below those of previous years”, commented Kemmann.

In 2010, the construction equipment industry hopes the market in Europe and growth in the Far East, especially China and India, will boost demand. There are also signs that the economies in South America and North Africa will prove encouraing.

“We are convinced that 688 Bauma will help also to boost the change in mood,” Kemmann said.
The exhibition, the world’s biggest show of construction equipment, takes place in Munich, Germany, from 19-25 April.

"We are convinced that Bauma will help also to boost the change in mood"

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