Skip to main content

Plans in hand for bauma 2016 exhibition, with positive market outlook

The organisers of the bauma exhibition in Germany predict a positive future for the construction market in 2016. Large increases are expected in the North American market while there are also pPositive trends in the Near and Middle East. Last year North America and Europe were the most dynamic construction machinery markets in the world according to data from the bauma organisers. Some market experts believe that this trend could continue in 2015. This is one of the reasons why the market in construction
May 18, 2015 Read time: 4 mins
Outlook positive for construction market in 2016, with bauma 2016 looking to beat records set in 2013
The organisers of the 688 bauma exhibition in Germany predict a positive future for the construction market in 2016.  Large increases are expected in the North American market while there are also pPositive trends in the Near and Middle East.

Last year North America and Europe were the most dynamic construction machinery markets in the world according to data from the bauma organisers. Some market experts believe that this trend could continue in 2015. This is one of the reasons why the market in construction machinery and building materials machinery is in an upbeat mood in the build up to bauma 2016, despite current political uncertainties. The next edition of bauma takes place from April 11 to 17, 2016 at the 3995 Messe München exhibition centre.

Industry associations claim good prospects for the construction machinery and building machinery market in the current global market. Demand is strong, not only in Europe, but above all worldwide. In the US business is buoyant: In 2014 the European manufacturers alone managed to increase their sales there by around 19%. And the signals for 2015 are also positive. Companies hiring out construction machinery are one of the key drivers of this demand. Last year already they were the biggest customer in the US.

The market in Europe is also picking up again, and the European construction industry is no longer hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons. According to market researchers at Euroconstruct, all the segments in the building industry in Europe will recover in 2015. That will lead to an overall improvement in demand for machinery. Great Britain and Scandinavia are among the countries offering the most promise in Europe. And the German market will continue to be an anchor of stability in Europe.

According to the industry associations, China—the world’s biggest market for construction machinery—will stabilise in the current year, although initially at a low level. In 2014 the sector in China had to cope with a double-digit decrease—for the third time in a row. A real turnaround in this situation is not yet in view, because of overcapacities and the relatively new machinery fleets, but some recovery is predicted. The statistics company Statista is forecasting the market for construction machinery in China will reach a value of almost US$44 billion in 2015.

Also picking up, alongside the traditional markets, are the markets of the Near and Middle East. The building sector in Saudi Arabia, for example, is currently one of the fastest growing sectors of the country’s economy, according to Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI). In the medium term, too, this high level of state investment in expanding the transport infrastructure will ensure above-average growth for the sector. Provisional figures for 2014 in the construction industry in this Gulf monarchy put growth at around 6.7% in real terms. The second largest Gulf market for construction projects is the United Arab Emirates. According to GTAI analysts residential construction boomed here in 2014, with investment totalling $16 billion, representing a rise of 35% compared to the previous year.

The market in India, too, according to sector insiders, should also move forward again. The consultants at 2444 Off-Highway Research are expecting sales of construction machinery by latest 2016, in this, the seventh-largest country on Earth, to regain the highest level reached so far, in 2011. In that year 72,000 units were sold. By 2018, the analysts predict that sales will rise continuously to in the region of 97,000 units. The products most in demand on the sub-continent remain the same as today: backhoe loaders, crawler-excavators, mobile cranes, mobile compressors, compaction equipment and wheel loaders.

Uncertainty through political crises is a factor that could halt growth on the world markets. The key criterion for the industry is the extent to which the customers let themselves be influenced by these uncertainties—how they act and react. Johann Sailer, President of the 1331 VDMA Construction Machinery and Building Materials Machinery Association said, "Any scenario seems possible to us. So we are not expecting the markets to outperform. Nevertheless we are optimistic, including for bauma next year." For the exhibitors and visitors taking part in the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines, Construction Vehicles and Construction Equipment this is an encouraging outlook.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Construction machine sales strong reports CECE
    March 17, 2016
    The European construction equipment market is performing relatively well in global terms. However striking regional disparities remain, according to the Annual Economic Report for 2016 from the European construction equipment manufacturing association, CECE. Data from the report shows that excluding Russia, the European market for construction machines grew by 3.5% in 2015 and it forecasts a slight increase in business for 2016.
  • Golden opportunities in the MINT - Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey
    May 21, 2015
    Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey – Global Report offers up some food for thought about where smart money might be headed within the next several years – David Arminas writes China’s rate of growth may be slowing down, but other South East Asian companies are being quick to offer alternate investment opportunities, notably Indonesia. Nigeria, too, has had issues with security of investment. But there are signs that the government may be getting serious at last about tightening up rules and regulation
  • German construction machinery manufacturers bullish
    February 9, 2023
    German construction machinery manufacturers are bullish in the face of challenges
  • European construction equipment sector is picking up says CECE
    January 6, 2017
    While the European construction equipment market is still some 40% below the record levels of 2007, there are definite signs of a recovery in the industry. This was revealed by Eric Lepine, president of CECE (the Committee for European Construction Equipment), who said that it is a mixed market environment. “There are still uncertainties in different regions of the world and particularly in Europe, but the good news is that figures are telling that Europe is picking up,” said Lepine.