Another drop in temperature

Exports of U.S.-made construction machinery declined 5.9% in 2001, as manufacturers shipped $7.31 billion worth of equipment worldwide last year, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

South America took delivery of $957 million worth of U.S. construction equipment last year, a 3% gain over 2000, while construction machinery exports to Central America for 2001 dropped 17% to total $763 million. Exports of construction machinery to Asia declined almost 10% to $929 million. Europe took delivery of $1.7 billion worth of U.S. construction equipment in 2001, an 8% decline compared to the previous year. Export business to Canada dropped 11% to total $2.1 billion.

Shipments to Australia/Oceania (27%) and Africa (34%) showed double-digit increases for 2001.

The top 10 export destinations for American-made construction equipment for 2001 were: Canada ($2.1 billion); Belgium ($727 million); Mexico ($577.5 million); Australia ($499 million); Brazil ($272 million); Chile ($253 million); Singapore ($249 million); Japan ($190 million); United Kingdom ($183 million); and Germany ($164 million).