While the U.S. and global economies have continued to grow, the pace has slowed over the second half of 2021. But in the construction and agriculture equipment industries, stronger-than-expected growth this year has many manufacturers feeling optimistic about 2022.
According to results from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) fall member survey, more than 80 percent of their members anticipate rising demand for construction and agriculture equipment over the next year. If that plays out, construction spending in 2022 will surpass 2019, which was a banner year for the industry. Telematics companies are likely to play a significant role in this growth, providing technology solutions to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity in construction and agriculture equipment operations. Roughly 65 percent think demand for ag equipment will be above normal, while 44 percent think demand for construction equipment and Mini Piling Rig Hire for Professionals will be above normal.
Manufacturers face some headwinds, though, including labor, supply chain issues and widespread inflation. However, roughly 58 percent in the construction segment and 44 percent in the agriculture segment think the global economy will recover within the next year.
Farmers have been taking advantage of their good financial position to invest in new equipment. In 2022, AEM members feel that most key ag equipment categories will see growth similar to this year.
(From the National Association of Farm Broadcasters)
CONSTRUCTION AND AG ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: OPTIMISM ABOUNDS FOR 2022
(AEM/Dec. 6, 2021) — While the U.S. and global economies have continued to grow, the pace has slowed over the second half of 2021.
But in the construction and agriculture equipment industries, stronger-than-expected growth this year has many manufacturers feeling optimistic about 2022.
According to results from AEM’s fall member survey, more than 80% of AEM members anticipate rising demand for construction and agriculture equipment over the next year. Furthermore, roughly 65% think demand for ag equipment will be above normal, while 44% think demand for construction equipment will be above normal.
Manufacturers are facing some headwinds, though. More than 80% of AEM members are having a difficult time filling manufacturing positions. Roughly 95% are being affected by supply chain issues. Widespread inflation is driving up prices for raw materials and other manufacturing inputs, as well as the finished products manufacturers send to market.
Despite all of these challenges, AEM members remain optimistic. Roughly 58% in the construction segment and 44% in the agriculture segment think the global economy will recover within the next year. Roughly 70-74% think the U.S. economy will recover within the next year, and 75-80% think their individual companies will recover in a year.
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CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
Construction spending is up 1.1% this year. Spending should improve next year, with 2.7% growth in the forecast.
The construction pipeline, especially on the residential side, remains strong. The total construction pipeline has $464 billion currently under construction, $742.71 billion in pre-tender, $33.65 billion in tender, and $28.28 billion in the award/financing stage. Another $233 billion has been delayed or canceled, largely due to labor and materials shortages.
On the non-residential side, power plants and grids have seen the most investment (30%) followed by roads and bridges (17%).
“The American Jobs Plan will give a big boost to spending on infrastructure,” said AEM Director of Market Intelligence Benjamin Duyck. “The biggest impacts will be in 2022 and 2023.”
AEM members remain quite optimistic about the CE segment, although attitudes have cooled a bit since this time last year. Nonetheless, roughly 75% of AEM members saw a jump in new orders of construction equipment in Q3. At the same time, 80% saw an increase in backlog. Roughly 42% have been able to increase production, while another 42% have maintained.
On the other, construction companies that don’t want to spend extra on new equipment may search online for a company that offers services such as excavator and aerial lift rental.
With respect to construction components and attachments, 96% saw
increase in new orders while 90% watched their backlogs increase. More manufacturers (83%) have been able to increase production, however, than those on the wholegoods side.
“Demand for every construction equipment category remains green,” Duyck said.
That said, AEM members are expecting more mild growth in most categories over the next 12 months, which could be due to the fact that performance this year was much stronger than expected.
The latest data shows that machinery for mining and construction in the U.S. should finish this year with a 17.5% increase. Looking forward, 7.7% growth is expected next year, followed by 5.4% in 2023.
On a global level, Brazil has seen the most growth this year (44.8%) followed by China (24.3%), Japan (24.2%), the United Kingdom (20.7%) and India (19.4%). Looking ahead to 2022, India is expected to see the most growth (12.4%), followed by the United Kingdom (9.3%).
AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
American farmers are in a strong position despite reduced government payments in 2021.
“Net farm income is estimated to have increased by 19.6% in 2020 and is forecasted to increase another 19.5% in 2021 to $113 billion,” Duyck pointed out. “Net farm income is at its highest level since 2013 and is 20% above its 2000-2020 average.”
American farmers are also seeing their best debt-to-equity and debt-to-asset ratios since around 2004, although they are expected to decrease slightly in the coming months.
“When you look at the historical backdrop, though, U.S. farms are in a good financial situation,” Duyck said.
Farmers have been taking advantage of their good financial position to invest in new equipment. The most recent AEM data shows the…..
Read the full report from AEM here.