Skip to main content

CEA: UK equipment manufacturing output remains high

UK output from companies involved in manufacturing equipment and parts continued on an encouraging upward trend in January, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. Output in January was 2.3% higher than in December, and 9.5% up on January 2016. In fact, output in January was the highest monthly output since the first quarter of 2015 and the six-month moving average has returned to mid-2015 levels. On a quarterly basis, output ended 2016 on an improving trend, with October/December 1.1%
March 20, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
UK output from companies involved in manufacturing equipment and parts continued on an encouraging upward trend in January, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

Output in January was 2.3% higher than in December, and 9.5% up on January 2016. In fact, output in January was the highest monthly output since the first quarter of 2015 and the six-month moving average has returned to mid-2015 levels.

On a quarterly basis, output ended 2016 on an improving trend, with October/December 1.1% above July/September levels, which in turn was 0.4% above April/June levels. These figures are consistent with comments about UK market demand in the early months of 2017, which suggest that the improvements seen at the end of 2016 have continued into the new year.

Analysis of the data from the ONS on an annual basis shows that industries included within the machinery & equipment NEC category that are relevant to the UK’s umbrella body thie CEA – 3418 Construction Equipment Association - account for around 60% of the total output reported. This includes construction, mining and lifting equipment and parts.

The remainder of industries within the machinery category includes agricultural equipment, office equipment and a number of other industries. ONS output data is based on company turnover collected on a monthly basis. Comparison of this data on an annual basis with 2444 Off-Highway Research production data for construction equipment shows very similar year on year percentage movements.

As a result monitoring of ONS monthly data is judged to be a useful indication of production/activity levels for UK construction equipment and parts.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • CEA-backed report’s blueprint for UK construction equipment sector growth
    June 11, 2014
    Investment in advanced machine electronics capability; further investment in training and apprenticeship programs; and support for the UK as a continued centre for R&D are all key to securing growth within the British construction equipment industry, according to a comprehensive new Construction Equipment Association (CEA) commissioned report. Further recommendations for the industry in The UK Construction Equipment Sector Report are the need to ensure the cross fertilisation of advanced design, manufactu
  • Futureproofing UK construction equipment resilience
    May 5, 2021
    Rob Oliver is the longstanding CEO of the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), the UK trade association for the UK construction equipment industry. Guy Woodford recently caught up with him to discuss the industry’s health and the key issues facing the CEA and its members in 2021 and beyond.
  • Construction machine sales strengthening in Italy
    November 28, 2016
    Construction machine sales are strengthening around the globe. A report from the SaMoTer-Veronafiere Outlook reveals that 7,551 construction machines were sold in Italy over the period from January-September 2016. This represents a gain of 32% from the same period in 2015 and a further increase of 37% is estimated in Italy for the two-year period 2017-2018. Worldwide the first nine months of 2016 saw sales around the world of 496,500 earth moving machines, a drop of around 5,000 less (1%) compared to th
  • The most dangerous times on US roads
    July 2, 2018
    Newly available data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Studies (IIHS) shows the most dangerous days for drivers on US roads. The research studied fatal crashes that occurred between 1998 and 2014, revealing that summer and early Autumn have the highest rates of fatal road crashes. The risk of crashing is higher at the weekend than during the working week, with the 3pm to 7pm time slot having a particularly high risk of road fatalities. Most dangerous of all are New Year’s Day and the US Independence