Construction Equipment Exports Up 22 Percent

Exports of U.S.-made construction machinery totaled $8.2 billion for the first half of 2007—a 22 percent increase compared to January-June 2006, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The AEM North American-based trade association consolidates U.S. Commerce Department data into a quarterly export trends report.

Construction equipment export volume to Asia rose 67 percent to a total of $1.16 billion at mid-year 2007. Exports to China gained 181 percent for the first half of 2007 to a totally $319.5 million, giving that country the sixth place ranking among leading export destinations for U.S. construction machinery.

Central America took deliver of 28 percent more American-made construction equipment during the first half of the year compared to last year for a total of $815 million, and South America increased its purchases by 14 percent to a total of $1.08 billion.

Europe increased its construction equipment exports 52 percent to a total of $1.36 billion for the first half of 2007, while Canada took delivery of $2.6 billion worth of U.S.-made machinery, a 3-percent gain.

Exports to Africa grew 37 percent and totaled $434 million, and exports to Australia/Oceania increased 9 percent, representing $719 million worth of construction machinery.

The top 10 export destinations for American-made construction equipment for the first half of 2007 were:

• Canada: $2.6 billion, up 3 percent
• Australia: $696 million, up 9 percent
• Mexico: $588 million, up 26 percent
• Chile: $346 million, up 40 percent
• Belgium: $331 million, up 78 percent
• China: $319.5 million, up 181 percent
• South Africa: $251 million, up 63 percent
• Venezuela: $177 million, up 72 percent
• Germany: $176 million, up 70 percent
• Russia: $165 million, up 57 percent

More information is available at www.aem.org.