Germany: The Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) says that turnover of German manufacturers of construction equipment rose by 3% year-on-year to Euro9.3bn in 2016. This compares to a fall of world sales of construction equipment by 1%. The German domestic market grew by 20% to nearly Euro3bn in 2016, following a recovery in 2015, nearly matching the record year of 2007.

Growth was reported in most European markets, with the exception of the UK and in Central Eastern Europe. However, the industry saw sales decline by over 9% in North America. Infrastructure spending in the US is expected to stabilise this situation. Latin America suffered from the weakness of the Brazilian construction industry and general economy. Sales in Asia benefited from a recovery in China following four years of decline and an increase of 30% in India, boosted by road construction.

“We will only keep growing in the future if we further strive for international solutions and co-operations. In a highly specialised sector like ours, where special machines are not available in every region of the world, open markets are highly essential. We all depend on free trade and good economic sense. This applies for Europe and the United States alike,” said Johann Sailer, chairman of the VDMA.