Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment increased in the second quarter of 2010, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Total construction machinery exports at midyear were $7.4 billion, gaining 15 percent overall compared to last year’s numbers.
“These numbers are encouraging, especially after the double-digit declines of last year,” says Al Cervero, AEM senior vice president. “With U.S. markets still sluggish, they underscore the importance of global trade to the construction equipment industry.
Exports to Central and South America each gained 14 percent compared to midyear 2009 – $753 million for Central America and $1.4 billion for South America. Asia’s export purchases increased 5 percent to $984 million.
European growth was flat with exports totaling $777 million, and exports to Africa declined 20 percent to $423 million.
Australia/Oceania took delivery of 37 percent more American-made construction machinery for a total $679 million, and exports to Canada increased 32 percent and totaled $2.4 billion.
The top destinations for U.S. construction machinery exports were, in this order, Canada, Australia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, China, Colombia, South Africa, Peru and Belgium.
