CE Exports Still Slumping: AEM

Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment declined 25% overall for first quarter 2016 compared to the same period from the previous year, according to information from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the North-American based business association representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry.

Citing U.S. Commerce Dept. information, AEM said that first quarter exports of construction machinery was $2.7 billion. “The first quarter of 2016 marked the 13th consecutive quarter that U.S. construction equipment exports experienced year-over-year declines,” said Benjamin Duyck, AEM’s director of market intelligence. “The continued downturn in exports is linked to the strong U.S. dollar, reducing our nation’s competitiveness by making U.S. equipment relatively more expensive.

“Overall, the construction industry is expected to continue to grow by 3.4% globally in 2016, according to Business Monitor International. However, roughly half that growth is expected from the North American markets.”

The biggest decreases were in the earthmoving equipment segment, which fell roughly 35% from 2015 levels, Duyck said. He added that small increases were seen in the lifting equipment segment, driven mostly by self-propelled aerial work platforms.

Africa and South America experienced the sharpest declines, each down nearly 50%, while Central America exports were stable and Europe gained slightly.