Association of Equipment Manufacturers reports Mid-Year Exports of Construction Equipment All World Regions Show Growth in 2004

MILWAUKEE, WISC.--Exports of American-made construction machinery totaled $4.2 billion for the first half of 2004, a 19% increase compared to the first half of the previous year, according to data released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). All major world regions bought more equipment in January-June of 2004 than they did for the same time period in 2003, with Australia and South America leading the way. The AEM trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Department data with other sources into a quarterly export trends report for members.

South America took delivery of $500 million worth of construction equipment, a 61% increase over its 2003 first-half purchases. Exports of construction machinery to Central America totaled $386 million, a gain of 16% compared to January-June 2003.

Exports to Australia/Oceania rose 71% to total $395 million for the first half of 2004, and exports of construction equipment bound for Asia totaled $533 million, a 13% increase compared to the first half of 2003. Africa purchased $187 million worth of U.S.-made construction equipment, a gain of 25% over mid-year 2003.

Construction machinery exports to Canada increased 11% for January-June 2004 and totaled $1.46 billion. Europe was the only world region not showing double-digit increases with its purchases of $724 million worth of equipment a 3% increase compared to the first half of 2003.

The top 10 export destinations for American-produced construction machinery in the first half of 2004 were: Canada ($1.46 bil), Australia ($372 mil), Mexico ($299 mil), Belgium ($173.5 mil), Chile ($165 mil) Brazil ($127 mil), Germany ($126 mil), China ($121 mil), United Kingdom ($85 mil) and South Africa ($80 mil).