Sales of construction and earthmoving equipment made an encouraging start of the year with sales in January at 7.4% above sales in the first month of 2024, according to the latest figures from the CEA.
Sales reached 1,750 units and represented the third month in a row where sales matched or exceeded sales in the same month in the previous year. 2024 ended the year with a relatively flat sales trend, but still ended up at 20% down on 2023 due to the weak start to the year. The good news, says the CEA, is that most forecasts are pointing to modest ‘single figure’ growth in equipment sales in 2025.
The latest quarterly update on UK imports and exports of construction equipment was published in February. Exports saw a modest pick-up in Q4, but tonnage of equipment shipped in 2024 still ended up at 10% below 2023 levels. The USA remained as the leading destination, accounting for over 26% of total exports. Imports of equipment remained on a downward trend in Q4 and ended up at 9% below 2023 levels for the whole of last year.
China and Japan were the two leading sources for equipment in 2024, accounting for 30% of total imports.
