Skip to main content

AEM sets agenda

Construction machinery and equipment sales worldwide are predicted to be up by 14.7 % in 2011, according to the annual business outlook survey by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
April 24, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSConstruction machinery and equipment sales worldwide are predicted to be up by 14.7 % in 2011, according to the annual business outlook survey by the 1100 Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

The AEM says its survey results indicate sales will also continue to grow in the next three years, but at a lower rate than 2011. In 2011, machinery and equipment sales in the U.S. are expected to grow 18.6% compared to last year; Canadian sales are forecast to increase 14.7%; and sales across the rest of the world are anticipated to rise 14.7%. U.S sales are predicted to grow 10.8% in 2012, 9.9% in 2013, and 8.1% in 2014.

Canadian business overall is expected to be 9.0% higher in 2012, then increase 9.8% in 2013 and 7.3% in 2014. Meanwhile, equipment sales across the rest of the world are anticipated to rise 10.5% in 2012, 9.5% in 2013, and 8.2% in 2014. AEM, the North American-based international trade group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry, surveyed manufacturers of around 40 different types of machines, attachments and components, used to build and repair roads, bridges, houses, offices, schools and other infrastructure worldwide, and asked them to rank several factors affecting future business. The state of the general economy, including consumer confidence, credit availability and steel prices, were seen as major negative factors influencing future sales. A key positive factor cited was the consistent strong demand for construction equipment exports. "In 2011, construction equipment manufacturing kept improving from the depths of the recession as the economy stabilised. Earlier this year it looked like the economy was truly turning around, but we still have some uncertainty, in both U.S. and international markets, and this is hampering stronger, more sustainable growth," said AEM president Dennis Slater. "Export sales have been crucial to help many manufacturers get through the recession, and they still contribute greatly to a positive balance sheet for many companies. That's why export-friendly policies such as free trade agreements are important to keep American companies in business."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • AEM voices concern over lower machine exports
    September 8, 2014
    The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says that US construction machinery exports dropped 17.3% during the first half of 2014 compared with the same period for 2013. In all some US$8.93 billion in exports were shipped to global markets compared to $10.8 billion for first-half of 2013, according to US Department of Commerce data. The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group produces global trends reports using US Commerce Dept. information to assist members’ business planning.
  • AEM names Charlie O’Brien as its new senior vice president
    January 11, 2013
    The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) in the United States has named Charlie O’Brien as senior vice president. The appointment is said by the AEM to be in recognition of his increased leadership role for the association. These include activities under AEM’s new strategic plan, initiated in 2012, to better serve all members’ current and future business-development needs.
  • Changing face of global construction industry
    February 28, 2012
    David CA Phillips reports on the changing structure of the global construction equipment industry. In 2007, the year of peak historical demand and before the onset of the international financial crisis, estimated total sales of key equipment types stood at just over 1,000,000 units, valued at approximately US$100 billion. By 2009 sales had fallen to around 600,000 units valued at around $65 billion. The consequences of the global financial recession were dramatic and immediate, and remain with us today, and
  • CECE Congress focuses on future of construction
    May 8, 2012
    The bi-annual CECE Congress was held in Spain when participants looked forward in a bid to see what will happen in the next ten years. Growth markets such as China, India and Brazil offer big opportunities to European construction equipment manufacturers. As companies, particularly those from China, start to expand outside their own countries the competition for business will increase, and it has been claimed that there is no such thing as 'the global market', rather it is the sum of hundreds, if not thousa