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Market Overview

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The Germany construction equipment market experienced significant growth and is projected to continue expanding in the coming years. In 2021, the market size reached USD 4.51 billion and is expected to reach USD 5.94 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.02% during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the rising government investment in public infrastructure projects and the implementation of the ‘Green Infrastructure Strategy’. These factors are expected to drive construction equipment sales in Germany.

The construction equipment market share in terms of units is also expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.02% and reach 101,807 units by 2028. The new German government, under the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building, has initiated measures to expand housing construction, aiming to build 400,000 apartments annually. Investments in the housebuilding subsector grew by 39% in 2021, leading to an increase in the number of new flats and houses entering the market. Such initiatives provide a significant boost to the Germany construction equipment market.

Germany has made substantial investments in green buildings, allocating approximately USD 12.5 billion in 2021. The country plans to invest USD 220 billion by 2026 to support industrial transformation, including climate protection, hydrogen technology, and the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations. The German government has also increased its investment in public and transport infrastructure, with a budget of USD 68 billion dedicated to transforming the economy into a green economy by 2045. Additionally, the German government has granted USD 324 billion in funding over the next 15 years to improve roads, rails, and waterways as part of the Transport Infrastructure Plan introduced in 2022.

The European Union has provided a relief package of USD 25.51 billion under the Germany Recovery & Resilience Plan, supporting construction and manufacturing activities in the country. Furthermore, the German government’s road firm, Autobahn, has allocated USD 578 million to rebuild bridges across the network. These initiatives align with Germany’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2045, with targets to reduce emissions by at least 65% by 2030 and 88% by 2040. The government is investing in solar and wind power generation plants to achieve these goals.

Within the Germany construction equipment market, the earthmoving construction equipment segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021, while forklifts dominated the Material Handling Segment. Forklifts are essential equipment for material handling in confined spaces like small warehouses and distribution centers. Germany’s central location in Europe makes it an attractive logistics market, contributing over USD 269.51 billion to the country’s budget. The development of warehouses, such as the Flow Warehouse in Duisburg-Walsum, is expected to drive the demand for forklifts and telehandlers.

The German government’s project Digital Rail Germany aims to improve the performance of the rail network by up to 35%. It has invested USD 324 billion in national infrastructure improvement over the next 10-15 years. In terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), Germany surpassed the United States in 2021, receiving approximately 1,537 projects. However, challenges such as increasing building materials and rising labor costs may adversely affect the demand for construction equipment. To address this, the European Union has granted aid of USD 25.54 billion under the Germany Recovery & Resilience Plan.

Germany’s commitment to modernizing its rail infrastructure is evident in the planned expenditure of USD 13.56 billion in 2022, a 6.3% increase from the previous year. The government intends to renovate and modernize the rail infrastructure while also focusing on improving the Autobahn network and road construction projects. The investment of USD 529.17 million by the German Government’s Road firm, Autobahn, is specifically allocated for mending bridges.

Furthermore, the German government has allotted USD 372.42 million for road construction projects in the Brandenburg region in 2022, contributing to the growth of the Germany construction equipment market.

Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the construction industry in Germany has attracted foreign investors, leading to increased investment opportunities in construction equipment. The government’s support for residential projects, infrastructure construction, foreign direct investment, and rental investments in construction equipment are expected to drive the growth of the Germany construction equipment market.

The demand for excavators in Germany is driven by improvements in the mining and construction sectors, as well as government projects like smart city initiatives. The government has invested USD 751.42 million in the smart city project, which has supported the demand for excavators. The mining industry plays a significant role in the excavator market, particularly in extracting hard coal and lignite.

However, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has impacted German construction projects due to supply chain disruptions, resulting in a bottleneck in the development of construction projects. Germany’s heavy reliance on Russia for natural gas and fossil fuels has led to inflation and increased costs for fossil fuel imports. Additionally, energy prices, raw materials, and fuel prices have surged, causing delivery problems for construction companies. These disruptions have directly affected the Germany construction equipment market.

The shortage of skilled workers is another challenge facing Germany, with almost 50% of companies reporting a shortage. The manufacturing sector is severely impacted by the lack of skilled labor, and the country’s aging population exacerbates the situation. As a result, Germany relies on foreign laborers, whose availability has been affected by the pandemic. These issues are expected to have a severe impact on the manufacturing and sales of construction equipment and machinery, further influencing the growth of the Germany construction equipment market.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including type and end user.

Segmentation by Type
Earthmoving Equipment – Excavator, Backhoe Loaders, Motor Graders, Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers)
Material Handling Equipment – Crane, Forklift & Telescopic Handlers, Aerial Platforms (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom lifts, Scissor lifts)
Road Construction Equipment – Road Rollers, Asphalt Pavers

Segmentation by End Users
Construction
Manufacturing
Mining
Others

In 2021, the earthmoving construction equipment segment held the majority share of 56.5% in the Germany construction equipment market. This segment is projected to reach 58,376 units by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.10%. The earthmoving equipment category was the largest segment in the German construction equipment market during that year.

The German government has ambitious plans for increasing housing development, aiming to construct 400,000 new apartments per year, including 100,000 units with public subsidies. Additionally, the government has set a target of achieving climate neutrality by 2045.

Furthermore, the construction industry end-user segment accounted for a share of 50.4% in the Germany construction equipment market in 2021. It is expected to reach 52,176 units by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.13%. In 2021, the value of orders for the construction industry reached $91.75 billion, marking a 9.4% increase compared to the previous year. To meet the increasing demand for housing, the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development, and Building of the German government is striving to facilitate the construction of 400,000 flats each year.

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Competitive Landscape

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Prominent vendors in the German construction equipment market include Caterpillar, Volvo Construction Equipment, Komatsu, SANY, Liebherr, Hitachi Construction Machinery, XCMG, and JCB. These companies have a strong presence and contribute significantly to the market.

Additionally, there are other notable vendors in the market such as Manitou, Yanmar, CNH Industrial, Takeuchi, Kobelco, and Liu Gong. Although they may have a slightly smaller market share, they are still recognized players in the industry.

Caterpillar holds the strongest share in the German construction equipment market. Alongside Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu, and Liebherr are also considered market leaders in the German industry. These companies have established robust distribution networks and offer a wide range of products to cater to different customer needs.

Furthermore, Hitachi Construction Machinery and XCMG are emerging as strong contenders in the German market. They are actively introducing innovative products to capture a larger share of the Germany construction equipment market. For example, in 2022, XCMG unveiled a new electric all-terrain crane, excavator, and loader at the Bauma festival in Germany, showcasing their commitment to technological advancements.

Similarly, Hitachi Construction Machinery launched the ZX135W-7 wheeled excavator in the German construction equipment market. This excavator boasts a 360-degree swing radius, a 2.2m arm length, and is equipped with a Stage V-compliant 4-cylinder engine, demonstrating their focus on meeting industry requirements and customer demands in Germany.

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Key Questions Answered

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How large is the projected size of the construction equipment market in Germany by 2028?

The estimated size of the construction equipment market in Germany is expected to reach USD 5.94 billion by 2028.

What is the growth rate of the construction equipment market in Germany?

The construction equipment market in Germany is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.02% from 2021 to 2028.

How many units of construction equipment are expected to be sold in the Germany market by 2028?

It is anticipated that approximately 101,807 units of construction equipment will be sold in the Germany market by 2028.

Who are the major players in the construction equipment market in Germany?

The major players in the construction equipment market in Germany include Caterpillar, Liebherr, Komatsu, Volvo, SANY, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG), Hyundai Construction Equipment, and JCB.

What are the current trends in the construction equipment market in Germany?

Some current trends in the construction equipment market in Germany include investment in green buildings to maintain climate neutrality and sustainability, as well as the adoption of building information modeling (BIM) to enhance remote monitoring and digitization.