Skip to main content

VDMA optimistic for machine sales

The VDMA is the German equipment manufacturing association and says it is optimistic with regard to machine demand. The VDMA’s latest forecast for the construction equipment business segment in 2015 suggests market growth of 4%. According to the VDMA, the bauma 2016 construction equipment event in Munich in spring 2016 will also provide strong impetus for machine sales. German construction equipment manufacturers are more optimistic at the middle of the year than they were at the beginning – "even though u
July 16, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
Machine sales have grown, particularly for some equipment segments
The 1331 VDMA is the German equipment manufacturing association and says it is optimistic with regard to machine demand. The VDMA’s latest forecast for the construction equipment business segment in 2015 suggests market growth of 4%. According to the VDMA, the 688 bauma 2016 construction equipment event in Munich in spring 2016 will also provide strong impetus for machine sales.

German construction equipment manufacturers are more optimistic at the middle of the year than they were at the beginning – "even though uncertainty is the largest obstacle for us at present," according to Johann Sailer, chairman of the VDMA Association for Construction Equipment and Building Material Machines. The VDMA says that there has been double-digit growth in turnover by member companies throughout the sector in the first five months. Despite a damper in May, construction equipment manufacturers are correcting their forecast upwards for 2015. An increase in turnover of 4% to €8.7 billion seems achievable.

Construction equipment sales in Europe and North America have grown significantly in the first five months of the year, despite the fact that the Russian market has recorded a drop of around 70%. France too, once the second largest construction equipment market in Europe, is suffering a pronounced downturn with an above-average decline of 19% compared with the previous year. The drivers of business are the UK, Scandinavia and Germany. This year, manufacturers are expecting new momentum from Poland, too. Southern Europe is slowly catching up. Nonetheless, Europe still has to recover. “This is of central importance to us construction equipment manufacturers," Sailer said.

The North American construction equipment market is doing well and has already reached the pre-crisis level of 2006. The sector expects development next year to be rather flat. Good growth is coming from Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. China, India, Southeast Asia and Latin America, in particular, are falling short of expectations. When categorised by product group, there are significant differences in development. Demand for earthmoving machinery is disappointing and heavy machinery in particular has few customers due to the global mining crisis. But the trend is continuing upwards in concrete technology. The current situation is still good in road construction machinery, too. After a strong start to the year, incoming orders throughout the sector are currently at minus 2% compared with the previous year. And turnover is positive.

Companies today are looking forward to 2016 with optimism. bauma will take place in Munich from 11 to 17 April. Every three years, the world's leading trade fair for the industry is considered a driver of new investments from customers worldwide.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Palfinger sees revenue rise more than 14% in first half 2015
    August 5, 2015
    The Palfinger Group recorded revenue up by 14.1% to €606.2 million in the first six months of 2015, a new half-year record. Palfinger, a maker of loader cranes, marine cranes, wind cranes and container handling systems, noted that earnings grew more strongly than revenue. Earnings before interest and taxes rose by 29.6% to €53.7 million. The consolidated net result for the first half of 2015 was €34.6 million, 40.6% higher than the previous year's level. "We have been increasingly successful on internatio
  • Haulotte sales up 13%
    January 6, 2017
    Haulotte Group (HG) increased its Q4 2011 sales by 13%, compared to the same period of 2010. The rise took consolidated October 1 to December 31 2011 sales to US$107.1million (€82.2 million) compared with $94.5million (€72.5million) in the same three months of last year.
  • Haulotte sales up 13%
    February 21, 2012
    Haulotte Group (HG) increased its Q4 2011 sales by 13%, compared to the same period of 2010. The rise took consolidated October 1 to December 31 2011 sales to US$107.1million (€82.2 million) compared with $94.5million (€72.5million) in the same three months of last year.
  • XCMG sets out six stage path for future plans
    October 14, 2013
    XCMG has seen strong exports, with one deal in particular providing a major boost to turnover - Mike Woof writes It is rare that a single machine order can provide a substantial portion of a large manufacturer’s annual results. However the firm’s massive contract signed with the Venezuelan Government was a major boost to XCMG; the supply of no less than 6025 machines in a deal worth some US$750 million. This order came at an important time for the company when the world demand for construction equipment sl