Construction machine sales strengthening during 2018

Newly available data reveals that construction equipment sales are showing further growth in in the second quarter of 2018. The report reveals that retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment in the UK market grew by 3.8% in the second quarter of 2018, compared with the same period in 2017. This is according to the UK equipment statistics exchange provided by data processing specialist Systematics International and run in partnership with the Construction Equipment Association (CEA). Th
August 8, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Newly available data reveals that construction equipment sales are showing further growth in in the second quarter of 2018. The report reveals that retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment in the UK market grew by 3.8% in the second quarter of 2018, compared with the same period in 2017. This is according to the UK equipment statistics exchange provided by data processing specialist Systematics International and run in partnership with the 3418 Construction Equipment Association (CEA).         


This report reveals a continued trend towards a slowing rate of quarterly growth this year compared with 2017, with growth last year in the second quarter at just below 8%. The graph below shows quarterly sales on an index basis, using the first quarter of 2016 as 100. This illustrates a continuing upward trend in sales, but at a slowing rate of growth. Overall, this is an encouraging position for the industry, against the background of a weak construction market, which is anticipated to show flat output, or possibly a small decline this year.

In the first half of the year, equipment sales have recorded 5% growth in total compared with the first half of 2017, reaching over 16,000 units. The graph below illustrates a consistent seasonal pattern of sales across the last three years, with the second quarter remaining as the peak quarter of demand.

Amongst the most popular machine types, crawler excavators weighing over 10tonnes showed the strongest growth in the second quarter at 11% up on the same quarter in 2017. Telehandlers and mini/midi excavators (below 10tonnes) also continued to show growth at 10% and 3%, compared with the same quarter in 2017. The latest feedback from the rental industry, which is estimated to account for over 60% of equipment supply, remains positive, with confidence holding amongst the major national companies.

Sales of some of the lower volume equipment types show a mix of growth rates. Wheeled loaders and backhoe loaders showed growth in the second quarter, but compaction rollers remain weak, and continue to show declining levels of sales compared with 2017.

Finance & Funding

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • UK construction machinery sales continue to rise, reports the CEA
    May 24, 2017
    UK exports of construction and earthmoving equipment showed further growth in the first quarter this year, the highest level since Q2 2015. Sales topped nearly €812 million, according to the latest report from the UK’s Construction Equipment Association. Continued healthy export sales “can be attributed to both improving demand in some of the major overseas markets, as well as the benefit of the weaker £ exchange rate since the middle of 2016, following the Brexit referendum”, report the noted. In terms of
    Read More
  • CE reveals UK construction machine sales fluctuation
    February 23, 2017
    UK exports and imports of construction and earthmoving equipment saw fluctuations in demand during 2016 according to the Construction Equipment Association (CEA). The latest CEA report shows that UK exports of construction and earthmoving equipment showed a modest increase in the fourth quarter of 2016. However the sales ended the year at 1.8% lower than 2015 in weight terms (tonnage of machines), and 7.4% lower in value terms. The USA remained the top destination for exports, but saw reductions of over 20%
    Read More
  • European equipment sales up 15% in 2017, according to the CECE
    June 15, 2018
    European construction sales grew by 15% in 2017, according to the Annual Economic Report 2018* from the CECE After a strong first quarter, growth slowed in Q2, before rising in Q3 and Q4, according to the CECE - Committee for European Construction Equipment. Current levels of sales are on par with the levels seen in 2006 and 2008, but the industry is still 20% below the 2007 peak.
    Read More
  • French Q1 sales of equipment hit record levels
    May 22, 2019
    Sales of construction equipment in France are at the highest levels ever observed in the country, according to CISMA, the French trade association. In the first quarter of 2019 six new records were set. Compared with Q1 2018, the market is up 10%. This performance can be explained by the rise in sales to rental companies of nearly 13%, notes CISMA. The mobile elevating work platform sales reached a peak of 3,545 units in the quarter – highest ever, beating the previously best years of 2000-2001 an
    Read More

Highlighted Content