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Market Overview

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The used construction equipment market in Germany was estimated to be worth USD 1.02 billion in 2021, and it is projected to reach USD 1.22 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.68%. This growth can be attributed to increased investment in public infrastructure renovation and housing projects, which is expected to drive the demand for used equipment in the German market from 2022 to 2028. It is anticipated that the market will see the sale of 28,664 units of used construction equipment by 2028.

In 2020, Germany’s economy experienced a contraction of 5%, which adversely affected major sectors like construction and manufacturing due to a lack of labor and raw materials. However, in 2021, there was a slight recovery in the economy, largely due to increased government investment in infrastructure upgrades. The German government has planned a USD 12.9 billion investment in rail infrastructure, with ongoing expansion and refurbishment projects taking place across the country. For example, USD 5.7 billion has been allocated for the expansion and upgrading of Frankfurt International Airport.

While the construction industry is expected to thrive in 2022 due to ongoing projects, the manufacturing industry may face challenges due to reduced raw material supply and declining industrial production output. In Q1 2022, the production output of the manufacturing industry fell by 3.9%, marking the largest decline since April 2020.

The Earthmoving segment holds the largest share in the used construction equipment market in Germany, with excavators being the most dominant equipment in this segment in 2021. The demand for used construction equipment is driven by infrastructure upgrade projects such as commercial building renovations, railway station improvements, airport repairs, and road and bridge extensions across the country. However, one significant challenge faced by buyers is the rising prices of used equipment in Germany. The increased demand for construction equipment, coupled with supply chain disruptions leading to long delivery times for new equipment, has made used equipment more appealing. This has resulted in higher prices for used construction equipment in the European market.

Renting and leasing companies have a strong presence in Germany, which can hinder the demand for used construction machinery. Companies like Zeppelin GmbH and HKL Baumaschinen GmbH are the market leaders in construction equipment rental and leasing in Germany. These rental companies offer a wide range of construction equipment and provide trained operators for operating the rented equipment. Some rental companies also provide logistics and insurance facilities to attract customers.

In 2022, the German government introduced a repair and rehabilitation program for developing roads across the country. This program focuses on existing roads, bridges, and cycle paths, with significant budget allocations for road network maintenance and renovation projects. Furthermore, several road repair works are planned for states such as Saarland, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate in 2022.

The demand for used construction equipment such as road rollers, excavators, wheel loaders, asphalt pavers, and backhoe loaders is expected to grow in the German market due to their use in road repair and infrastructure renovation projects. Used construction equipment is preferred for redevelopment, repair, and small-budget projects as it is more cost-effective than new equipment. With a surge in rehabilitation and renovation projects, the demand for used construction equipment is expected to outpace that for new equipment, which is still recovering in terms of supply chain.

In 2021, the German government implemented measures to develop the housing market, including the construction of 100,000 rental units over the next four years and a housing subsidy of USD 9.4 billion to be used over the 2018-2024 period. To address the housing crisis, the government aims to increase the construction of houses in 2022, with a focus on renovating and repairing existing buildings. The government is also increasing investment in the modernization and renewal of Germany’s rail infrastructure in 2022.

According to VDMA, German construction machinery production is expected to grow by only 1% in 2022, largely due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has negatively impacted the supply chain of construction machinery. There is a major shortage of raw materials, such as iron, nickel, and steel, imported from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The low production of new construction equipment is expected to increase the demand for used construction equipment in Germany due to significant ongoing infrastructure upgrade projects.

Companies like Ritchie Bros and Equippo are upgrading their online marketplaces for used construction equipment in Europe to overcome obstacles such as the lack of transparency regarding equipment quality and complex logistics procedures. These companies provide additional services in online transactions, including independent inspection results, money-back guarantees, and logistics agency services.

There has been a constant increase in prices of used construction equipment in Germany. According to Ritchie Bros, there has been a 23% price surge in large earthmoving equipment and aerial equipment, as well as medium earthmoving equipment. While used equipment offers cost efficiency and is suitable for small repair and redevelopment projects, the rising prices might hinder the growth of the used construction equipment market in Germany.

The government has proposed strict emission standards for non-road mobile machinery, including construction equipment, railroad engines, and off-road vehicles. These emission standards aim to reduce nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter emissions. Moreover, Germany has implemented stringent norms for noise and low emissions levels in construction machinery, known as Blue Angel norms. These emission standards and norms are expected to affect the demand for diesel-based large used construction equipment in Germany.

The European equipment leasing market was valued at USD 25.6 billion in 2021, with Germany being one of the largest markets. The rental and leasing market for construction machinery in Germany grew by 4.2% in 2021, and leasing has become increasingly popular in the construction industry. Renting equipment is preferred when contractors require specialized equipment that they do not have in their fleet or costly equipment for specific operations. This growing renting and leasing market in Germany may hamper the demand for used construction equipment.

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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

The surge in housing and public infrastructure projects across Germany in 2022 is expected to drive significant incremental growth in the earthmoving segment of the used construction equipment market. In 2021, the used earthmoving equipment segment accounted for 53.6% of the overall market in Germany. It is estimated that this segment will reach 15,622 units by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 2.56%. Excavators, wheel loaders, and skid loaders are the major contributors to the used construction equipment segment.

The demand for used earthmoving equipment in Germany is supported by small short-term projects in various industries such as construction, mining, agriculture, and forestry. These industries create a significant demand for earthmoving equipment in the market.

The construction industry, driven by government investments in affordable housing, railways, road development projects, airports, and renewable energy projects, is expected to witness high incremental volume. In 2021, the utilization of used construction equipment in the construction industry accounted for a share of 48.3% of the overall market. By 2028, it is projected to reach 14,189 units, growing at a CAGR of 2.66%.

To support infrastructure development, the German government has planned to invest $429.8 million in 2022 for the rehabilitation and maintenance of public infrastructure and roads across the country. These investments will further drive the demand for used construction equipment in the market.

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Competitive Landscape

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The key players in the German used construction equipment market include Caterpillar, Volvo Construction Equipment, Liebherr, Komatsu, JCB, Hitachi Construction Machinery, SANY, XCMG, and Hyundai Construction Equipment. Additionally, other prominent vendors in the market are Terex Corporation, JLG, LiuGong, and Takeuchi.

Caterpillar holds the leading position in the Germany used construction equipment market. The company has excelled in selling used earthmoving equipment in 2021, particularly their crawler excavators and wheel loaders, which were highly popular in the German market segment.

Volvo Construction Equipment is the second largest player in the German used construction equipment market in 2021. The company has seen significant sales of their wheel loaders, and their excavators and mini excavators were also prominently sold in the same year.

Komatsu distinguishes itself by offering an extended warranty program called the Komatsu Advantage Extended Coverage Plan for used equipment, which helps reduce maintenance charges. The company strongly believes in partnerships as the best way to address challenges and meet society’s needs. As part of this belief, Komatsu has partnered with 20 start-up companies across Japan, the United States, and Europe to launch SMART CONSTRUCTION solutions.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the anticipated size of Germany’s used construction equipment market by the year 2028?

Germany’s used construction equipment market is projected to reach a value of USD 1.22 billion by the year 2028.

What is the expected number of units sold in Germany’s used construction equipment market by the year 2028?

It is expected that the number of units sold in Germany’s used construction equipment market will reach 28,664 by the year 2028.

What is the growth rate of Germany’s used construction equipment market?

The growth rate of Germany’s used construction equipment market is expected to be 2.68% during the period of 2021 to 2028.

Who are the key players in Germany’s used construction equipment market?

The key players in Germany’s used construction equipment market include Caterpillar, Volvo Construction Equipment, Liebherr, Komatsu, JCB, Hitachi Construction Machinery, SANY, XCMG, and Hyundai Construction Equipment.

What are the latest trends affecting the growth of the German used construction equipment market?

Some significant trends impacting the growth of the German used construction equipment market include auction companies improving their online channels to attract customers, as well as energy efficiency requirements in the housing industry.

How will earthmoving equipment contribute to the growth of Germany’s used construction equipment market share?

The earthmoving equipment segment is anticipated to contribute to the growth of Germany’s used construction equipment market share by achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92% and reaching a value of USD 482.9 million by the year 2028.