The first quarter of 2018 has proven to be a good one for the construction and mining equipment sector with sales of new equipment reaching levels last seen in the first quarter of 2015.
According to figures released by the Construction and Mining Equipment Suppliers’ Association (CONMESA), a total of 1542 units were sold during the period, an improvement of nearly 100 machines during the same period last year. CONMESA Chairman, Lawrence Peters, says the move is in line with the association’s expectations and predictions at the beginning of the year. He adds that the second quarter should continue a similarly positive trend, but with the uncertainty of volatile exchange rates and rising fuel costs possibly weighing against a sharper increase in sales.Improvements across the board
Along with other executive members of the association, who are elected from member companies within the association, Lawrence represents the large multiagency equipment distributor, ELB Equipment, which has exposure in nearly all sectors of the mining and construction industries. His company experience bears out the findings, where sales are improving across-the-board, rather than pointing to any one sector.Cautiously optimistic
This is reflected by fellow board member and representative from Bell Equipment, Dale Oldridge, who says the company’s figures are better than expected in all areas with mining equipment performing particularly well. He says that internally the company is also optimistic that construction equipment sales will improve during the latter part of the year as infrastructure projects are launched close to next year’s elections.Barloworld Equipment’s, Dr Samantha Swanepoel, concurs reporting that sales are improving across all industries, but reminds us that the industry’s improvement is off a relatively low base.
She adds that factors such as the implementation of the Mining Charter, as well as negative mining news headlines are still depressing aftersales business and margins.
