Construction equipment sales cool down

29 April 2022

Figures released by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) show that retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment slowed in March this year. 

This was surely inevitable at some stage following the astonishingly high demand for machines post-lockdown and the disruptions to the supply chain that have caused availability issues and shortages. 

Equipment sales in March were 3.5 per cent below the levels in the same month last year. This reduced the overall increase in sales for the first quarter of 2022 to a modest 2.7 per cent increase compared with Q1 levels last year, reaching close to 8,700 units. 

This slowing rate of growth in the first quarter is in line with expectations, following the record sales levels recorded in 2021, says the CEA, which gathers the statistics in partnership with Systematics International Ltd. 

Wheeled loaders have edged ahead of telehandlers in the construction industry, showing the strongest growth in Q1 sales at just under 40% compared with 2021 levels. The weakest start to the year has been experienced in road roller sales, being nearly 40% lower than in the first quarter of last year. 

The most popular equipment type in the UK, mini/midi excavators up to 10 tonnes, is showing a small shortfall on sales last year, with sales in Q1 at just under 4% below 2021 levels.

The figures for Q2 will make interesting reading to see if there are any changes in the supply and demand dynamics.