Divergent trends

Two divergent trends have been identified in the French mini crawler excavator market over the first nine months of 2018.

According to CISMA, the French association of equipment manufacturers of construction, infrastructure, steel and handling equipment industries, the French mini crawler excavator market – which remains the largest segment of France’s construction equipment industry – decreased by 2% over the period.

However, within this market, the one- to three-ton (0.9- to 2.7-tonne) segment, which represents 60% of the total mini crawler excavator market, declined sharply by 6%, while the three- to eight-ton (2.7- to 7.3-tonne) segment rose by 5%.

The drop in the smaller of the two sub-segments was attributed primarily to a lower level of sales to rental companies, which saw a 24% fall over the nine-month period, while sales to other customers increased by 2%.

Regarding the larger of the two sub-segments, sales to rental companies were said to have remained stable compared to the same period in the previous year, while sales to other customers were up 6%.

Manufacturers are forecasting a strong fourth quarter, which is expected to give an overall 2% increase in 2018 compared to 2017.

Last year, for the first time since the financial crisis a decade ago, the French market for mini crawler excavators was said to have reached the high levels seen back in 2008, and this year the market should be even higher.