VDMA predicts growth in 2014

Sales of German made construction equipment and building materials machinery fell -6% last year to € 11.7 billion (US$ 16 billion), according to the German engineering association, Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA). However, the association is optimistic on 2014, with incoming orders up +7% compared to a year ago.

The VDMA said sales of construction equipment by its members were down -3% last year to € 7.7 billion (€US$ 10.5 billion), while the building materials machinery sector dropped -13% to € 4 billion (US$ 5.5 billion).

A statement from the VDMA said, “In view of the splendid situation in the domestic construction industry, the German market painted a surprisingly weak picture for construction equipment manufacturers, with the exception of civil and structural engineering machines. In Europe France and Switzerland as well as Scandinavia impressed. Business in the Middle East and North America continued to develop well.

“The BRIC nations [Brazil, Russia, India & China], but also the hope-bearing markets such as South Africa or Indonesia, generated too few impulses. In 2014 the manufacturers expect an improvement here. The same applies for the European market, where in Southern Europe the economic recession is now expected to have finally bottomed out. The indications for 2014 are generally of an upward trend.”

As far as the home market is concerned, the VDMA is calling on the new federal government to once again earmark the revenue from truck and potential private vehicle toll charges for the development and renewal of the infrastructure as well as clearer guidance on future energy policy.