All Business & Finance Articles

Chinese construction equipment market continues to grow
Demand for construction machinery in China is projected to increase +12.7% per annum through 2011 to CNY 181 billion (US$ 25.9 billion), outpacing gains in most other regions of the world, according to Construction Machinery in China, a new study by the US-based Freedonia Group.
Bronto up 18 per cent and production will grow
First quarter sales of the Fire Rescue business of US company, Federal Signal, which now comprises solely of Bronto truck mounted, articulated aerial devices, rose 18% to $24 million.
Growth again
The European market for construction equipment grew again last year and, according to the latest CECE economic report, exports once again accelerated.
Flat access sales in Manitou's first quarter
Despite an overall, first quarter sales growth of 7.4%, Manitou reported "flat sales" for access platforms.
Caterpillar tops the table
The 2008 edition of the Yellow table from International Construction shows Caterpillar still firmly at the top of the global construction equipment market, followed by Komatsu and Terex. The Yellow Table is a ranking of the world's top 50 construction equipment manufacturers, based on 2007 revenues.
Up-tick in construction growth
New data from Eurostat shows that growth in construction output increased in January compared to a year ago. The European Commission's statistical arm says output in the EU 27 was +0,7% higher in the first month of this year, compared to January 2007.
Record equipment sales
Construction equipment sales in Western Europe grew +12% to an all-time high of 211560 machines last year, according to the latest report from Off-Highway Research. However, the company forecasts that this will be the peak in the current cycle, with an -8% decline expected this year to take the market to 184159 units.
Stocks stabilise
Share prices clawed back some ground in February following the disastrous start to 2008. But although there was some bounce it was by no means a recovery. Chris Sleight reports
Keeping global markets open
In a speech earlier this year, Charlie McCreevy, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, noted that in times of big changes and uncertainties, globalisation is increasingly perceived as a threat.
Skyjack reveals the first VR telehandlers in its own livery
Having completed the acquisition of Volvo's Material Handling Equipment, Skyjack is able to reveal the first VR (variable reach) telehandler in its own livery.
Mammoet spends US$90 million
Netherlands-based Mammoet has placed a record order for new cranes with Manitowoc.
Essex spends $20 million at Manitowoc
US crane rental house Essex Crane Rental Corp has ordered several Manitowoc Model 16000 and 14000 lattice boom crawler cranes. The $20 million deal was announced at Manitowoc's ConExpo booth 13 March. Deliveries start later this year and will continue into 2009.
Nosedive
The value of shares around the world has sunk like a stone over the first few weeks of the year due to a worsening outlook in the US and the continued effects of the global credit squeeze. Chris Sleight reports.
Strabag to buy-out German shareholders
Austria-based Strabag SE has announced an offer to acquire the 33.4% it does not already own in German subsidiary Strabag AG. It is offering € 260 per share for a total of € 347 million by means of a voluntary public offer.
KBR to buy BE&K
US construction giant KBR as reached a definitive agreement to BE&K, a private engineering and construction company based in Birmingham, Alabama, US BE&K had sales of US$ 2 billion for the year ending March 30, and the transaction is valued at US$ 550 million.
Cemex planning sales
Cemex has announced plans to sell various businesses in Austria, Hungary and the UK in a bid to reduce its debt burden. The units in question had generated revenues of US$ 456 million last year.
Family name: what does the future hold for Lavendon Group
Lavendon Group now has 21000 aerial platforms and 1400 employees...and over 10 different brands. Murray Pollok reports on the rebranding plans that will see it focus on just four names. Plus, we report on how the business is performing in certain key markets.
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