News
Marginal growth for global construction equipment industry

April 11,
2013, East Sussex, U.K. – Sales of construction equipment by the world's 50
largest manufacturers grew just +2.6% last year to US $186 billion, according
KHL Group’s annual Yellow Table survey. This was a record for the industry, but
the low growth rate was indicative of weak conditions in 2012.

April 11,
2013, East Sussex, U.K. – Sales of construction equipment by the world's 50
largest manufacturers grew just +2.6% last year to US $186 billion, according
KHL Group’s annual Yellow Table survey. This was a record for the industry, but
the low growth rate was indicative of weak conditions in 2012.

The
Yellow Table, which is a ranking of the world's 50 largest construction
equipment manufacturers, saw relatively few changes at the top of the table,
with the industry's long-standing no. 1 and no. 2, US-based Caterpillar and
Japan's Komatsu, continuing to hold the positions they have had for well over a
decade.

Further
down the top 10, Sany remained China’s largest equipment manufacturer, in 5th
position globally, while Zoomlion overtook Liebherr to claim no. 6 spot. Terex
remained at no. 8, while at no. 9 John Deere has swapped places with Doosan,
which was 10th in this year’s Yellow Table.

Outside
the top 10 there were some more significant moves. At no. 12, Metso Mining and
Construction was the industry’s largest specialist manufacturer, with increased
sales from its portfolio of crushing and screening equipment taking it up three
places, compared to the previous year’s rankings. In fact it was a good year for
other specialists, with powered access and telehandler maker JLG, which is
owned by Oshkosh, rising four places to no. 17 and crane builder Manitowoc
moving up two to no. 18.

The weak
growth figure of just +2.6% was attributable to falls in revenues for China’s
equipment manufacturers. Their share of total revenues fell from 16.9% in
2012’s survey to 15% – equivalent to US$ 27.9 billion. It was the first time in
the ten-year history of the Yellow Table that China’s share of the top 50’s
revenues has fallen. This drop equated to a loss in absolute terms of some US$
2.7 billion year-on-year, again a first for China’s construction equipment
manufacturers.

As a
result, six out of the nine Chinese manufacturers listed in the Yellow Table
slipped down the rankings last year, and one company listed in the 2012 edition
dropped out of the top 50.

The
report’s author, Chris Sleight, said, "Weak market conditions in China
last year were clearly a decisive factor for the global industry last year.
Despite the string of acquisitions we’ve seen from some of China’s key
manufacturers, overall revenues still fell, although the largest groups – Sany,
Zoomlion and XCMG managed to maintain their standings. Fortunately the strength
among North American manufacturers was enough to offset this and deliver some
growth.”