U.S.-made exports of construction equipment and machinery rose 26 percent last year for a total of $17.2 billion, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. These results are based on data compiled by the U.S. Commerce Department and other sources monitoring quarterly export trends.
“This positive export data underscores the importance of global trade to American manufacturers as they face a slowdown in U.S. business, as well as the continued need for free and fair trade across borders,” says Al Cervero, AEM senior vice president. “The worldwide demand for infrastructure building has helped the construction equipment industry remain strong.”
Exports of construction equipment to Africa increased by 67 percent in 2007 from the previous year, totaling $1.1 billion dollars. The Asian export market was also up 57 percent from the previous year for a total of $2.4 billion. Exports to Europe were also up 50 percent from 2006 for a total of $2.8 billion. Construction equipment exported to South America grew 20 percent for 2007, bringing that total to $2.3 billion. Exports to Central America and Australia/Oceania totaled $1.6 billion each, a 27 percent increase for Central America and a 12 percent increase for Australia/Oceania.
Exports to Canada increased by 8.5 percent from 2006 to 2007 marking the lowest increase of growth, however Canada is still the largest consumer of American construction machinery exports with a total of $5.5 billion.
The largest growth of U.S. construction machinery for 2007 from the previous year went to the United Kingdom, up 88 percent from 2006 for a total of $355 million. Brazil marked the lowest growth of the top ten countries buying U.S.-made construction machinery in 2007, down eight percent for a total of $402 million.
