News
U.S. construction equipment exports down 25%

December 5, 2016 – Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment fell 25% overall for the first three quarters of 2016 compared to 2015 January – September, for a total $8.2 billion shipped to global markets.

All world regions were in decline from single-digit drops for Europe and Central America to decreases in the 50 per cent range for Africa and South America, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), citing U.S. Department of Commerce data it uses in global market reports for members.

AEM is the North American-based international business group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry.  

Exports by world region
January-September 2016 U.S. construction equipment exports by major world regions compared to January-September 2015: 

•Canada dropped 21 per cent, for a total $3.5 billion
•Europe declined 6 per cent, for a total $1.2 billion
•Central America fell 9 per cent, for a total $1.0 billion
•Asia decreased 30 per cent, for a total $972 million
•South America declined 49 per cent, for a total $733 million
•Australia/Oceania fell 36 per cent to $427 million
•Africa declined 51 per cent to $317 million

AEM market overview
“For the past 15 quarters U.S. exports of construction equipment declined year over year and in the third quarter of 2016, that trend remains unchanged,” said AEM’s Benjamin Duyck, director of market intelligence. “A key factor affecting the reduction in exports is most likely due to the strong dollar making U.S. manufacturers less competitive in the global marketplace. Of course, the strong currency is a problem that plagues all U.S. exports. Some international markets are still viable; exports are up year over year to Belgium and Germany, for example.
“Our expectations for the fourth quarter remain subdued as the U.S. dollar is experiencing its longest rally in 16 years. With the global economic malaise, the slowdown in emerging markets and the negative interest rates seen in several economies’ bond markets, investment is flowing to the U.S. and U.S. stocks, driving up demand for our dollar, inadvertently affecting our competitiveness abroad.”

Exports by top 10 countries
The top countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery during the first three quarters of 2016 (by dollar volume) were:

1. Canada – $3.5 billion, down 21%    
2. Mexico – $831 million, down 9%
3. Australia – $392 million, down 38%
4. Belgium – $294 million, up 33%
5. Germany – $202 million, up 24% 
6. China – $190 million, down 8%
7. Peru – $181 million, down 30%
8. Chile – $165 million, down 60%
9. Japan – $147 million, up 6%
10. Brazil – $145 million, down 61%

Economic resources available
AEM provides a variety of market macroeconomic and industry trend data for members as well as survey opportunities and custom research. Visit www.aem.org in the Market Data/Market Intelligence section. For more information, contact AEM’s Benjamin Duyck, director of market intelligence (bduyck@aem.org). 

About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)  
AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 900 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors worldwide. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the world capitals of Washington, D.C.; Ottawa, Canada; and Beijing, China. www.aem.org