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

  • China looks to the future with major highway plans
    February 15, 2012
    China is still moving ahead with plans that will give it the world's biggest highway system. Patrick Smith reports. As China's economy grows even more, keeping the country on the move has become a priority for the government. While the country has made great strides over the past decade in improving its infrastructure, the number of vehicles has also increased rapidly, and in some instances restrictions have been placed on them.
  • KPMG’s Global Automotive Executive Survey 2012
    March 21, 2012
    With China slated to be the world’s biggest market for auto sales and exports by 2025, and demand for electric vehicles expected to be the highest in emerging markets, global auto players should have a clearer vision of the way forward on issues critical to the industry.
  • Construction equipment market to grow - CEA report
    February 29, 2012
    The UK’s Construction Equipment Association attracted a large audience for its annual general meeting.
  • Indonesia is partner country for bauma 2013
    May 4, 2012
    Indonesia will be the partner country of bauma 2013. A memorandum of understanding outlining Indonesia’s role as partner country for the Munich, Germany-based construction trade show was signed at last week’s Conbuild Mining Indonesia event by Djoko Kirmanto, minister of public works of the Republic of Indonesia; Klaus Dittrich, chairman and chief executive of Messe München International; and Walter Hess, the VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen-und Anlagenbau) special envoy for Indonesia. The VDMA trade assoc