Retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment in April were more than four times the levels seen in April last year when sales reached their lowest point due to the impact of the first lockdown. As a result, sales in the first four months of this year were 61% higher than 2020 levels.
To help put the continued strength of the sales this year into context, it is useful to compare sales with 2019 levels. This shows that sales in the first four months of 2021 were between 3% and 4% above sales in the same period in 2019 and confirms the underlying strength of the market this year. Like many other industries, there is an ongoing debate within the sector about supply chain constraints for components and parts this year. However, the impact from this so far has not prevented strong growth in equipment sales.
The pattern of sales for the major equipment types in the first four months of the year is shown in the chart below. This shows that a strong recovery in sales is being experienced across all the major equipment types, with all showing more than 50% increases in the first four months of the year. Road rollers (above 70%), and mini/midi excavators (up to 10 tonnes) and other crawler excavators, showing increases above 60%, saw the strongest growth compared with last year.
The construction equipment statistics exchange covers sales on a regional basis in the UK and N Ireland. The map below shows the percentage differences for sales in the main regions in the first four months of 2021 compared with the same period last year. This shows that sales have been strongest in the North West and North East of England, and in Scotland. In contrast, weaker sales have been experienced in Wales and the West Midlands, at only 20% to 25% above last year’s levels.
Sales in the Republic of Ireland are also recorded in the statistics scheme, and similar to the UK, sales in April reached more than four times last year’s levels. As a result, sales in the first four months of 2021 are 46% above sales in the same period last year.
