U.S. Construction Exports Up

U.S. construction machinery exports rose by more than 34% year-on-year in 2006. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) said $13.7 billion worth of U.S. equipment was sold worldwide. Central America led the way in exports for 2006 with a 40.5% gain in purchases worth $1.3 billion. Construction machinery exports to South America increased by 17% in 2006, with purchases worth $1.9 billion.

Canada exported 22% more U.S. equipment in 2006, totaling $5.0 billion. Construction machinery exports to Africa gained 34% in 2006, with purchases worth $640 million. Australia/Oceania took delivery of $1.4 billion of construction equipment from the U.S. in 2006, an increase of 26%.

Asia and Europe show overall declines for U.S. construction machinery exports. Ex-ports to Asia dropped 11% in 2006 and totaled $1.5 billion, while U.S. exports of construction equipment to Europe were 12% lower than the previous year, for a total of $1.85 billion. ❖