AEM Reports Mid-Year Construction Machinery Exports Still Strong

U.S. construction equipment exports in 2005 continued to grow through the second quarter of the year to reach more than $6 billion for January-June 2005, according to data released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

Exports during the second quarter of 2005 increased 12 percent over first-quarter exports, and the mid-year total dollar volume rose 44 percent compared to 2004 mid-year export totals, according to the report.

The AEM North American-based international trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Department data with other sources into a quarterly export trends report.

Construction machinery exports to South America increased 64 percent for the first half of 2005, representing $809 million worth of purchases. Exports to Asia grew 59 percent and totaled $854 million.

Central America took delivery of $443 million worth of U.S.-made construction equipment, a 14.5 percent gain.

Europe increased its purchases of American construction machinery 48 percent, spending $1.1 billion. Exports of construction equipment to Canada gained 41 percent for a total of $2.1 billion. U.S.-made construction equipment bound for Australia/Oceania during the first half of 2005 totaled $589 million, a gain of 48 percent, while construction machinery exports to Africa rose 5 percent to reach $192 million.

The top 10 export destinations for American-made construction equipment for the first half of 2005 were:

Canada--$2.1 million, up 41 percent

Australia--$566 million, up 51 percent

Belgium--$401 million, up 129 percent

Mexico--$341 million, up 14 percent

Brazil--$303 million, up 135 percent

Singapore--$273 million, up 275 percent

Chile--$261 million, up 69 percent

Japan--$139 million, up 107 percent

United Kingdom, $114 million, up 33 percent