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 equipment launched at Bauma China
    February 15, 2012
    The 2010 bauma China event did, as expected, break all previous records, with companies launching more new equipment than ever. Patrick Smith reports. The queues at the entrances on the first day of bauma China 2010 indicated what the rest of the week had in store. As thousands of visitors poured through the gates each day to view the latest in construction equipment at the expanded Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the organisers knew they were looking at another successful event.
  • Wacker Neuson record slight revenue drop in Q1 2013
    May 22, 2013
    The Wacker Neuson Group reported a slight drop in revenue and earnings for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same three months of last year. The German construction equipment manufacturer says that a weak European economy was one of the main factors that dampened demand for light and compact construction equipment in Q1 2013. In addition, the Group’s strong performance in first quarter of 2012 is said to have resulted in an above-average baseline for comparison. At US$331.26 million (€257.1mn), Grou
  • French earthmoving market remains strong in Q1 2019
    May 7, 2019
    The French market for earthmoving equipment remained very strong in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest data compiled by CISMA. Q1 sales rose 12% compared to the same quarter 2018 with that for compact equipment up by 14%. CISMA - the French trade association - noted that this performance is mostly due to the strength of sales to rental companies (+32%) and the good performance of non-rental sales. Sales of crawler excavators are up by 11%. Sales of wheeled loaders grew by 23% t
  • Global machine sales expected to rise
    September 13, 2017
    A report by Off-Highway Research suggests that worldwide construction machine sales could increase 16% this year. On a global basis, sales of construction machines are expected to exceed 810,000 units in 2017, with a value of more than US$80 billion. The report says that most major territories will see growth during 2017. However China’s resurgence will be crucial, as crawler excavator sales in the country have more than doubled in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period last year.