VDMA sees +5% growth for 2010

By Chris Sleight03 March 2010

Dr Christof Kemmann, chairman of the VDMA

Dr Christof Kemmann, chairman of the VDMA

The German engineering federation (VDMA) says sales of German-built construction equipment are expected to rise +5% this year, following the massive falls of 2009.

According to the VDMA, last year saw sales of German construction equipment fall -18% to € 4,2 billion. All section of the industry experienced some fall in sales, with the exception of the tunnelling machinery segment. More dramatic was the -58% fall in sales of equipment for the manufacture of building products, which was worth € 5,1 billion in 2009.

The sector also saw a fall in orders last year, with construction equipment manufacturers seeing a -46% drop in incoming business, and a -58% drop in the building materials machinery sector.

Although both domestic and foreign sales fell last year, the VDMA's figures showed a bigger tail-off in exports. Foreign sales fell -46%, compared to a -33% drop in sales inside Germany.

Despite the tough conditions last year, the VDMA sees conditions improving this year. VDMA chairman Dr Christof Kemmann said, "Even a slight growth will not prevent the industry from reaching a level that will be far below those of previous years. We are not talking of the crisis anymore at this stage, but rather of a 'new and at the same time old' reality."

The VDMA expects construction equipment sales to rise +5% this year for German manufacturers, with growth in Asia lifting sales, and the forthcoming Bauma exhibition also expected to raise confidence.

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