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Market Overview

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The sales of construction equipment in Italy were valued at 77,073 units in 2021 and are projected to reach 119,681 units by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the construction equipment market is primarily driven by government investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and renewable energy projects. Italy is one of the largest construction equipment markets in Europe, with rental companies accounting for a significant portion of the market share. Rental companies experience higher demand compared to non-rental companies due to the presence of numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Italy.

In 2021, the material handling equipment market was the largest segment within the Italian construction equipment industry, followed by earthmoving and road construction equipment. Forklifts were the most prominent type of equipment. However, excavators and backhoe loaders exhibited the highest growth rate in 2021. The demand for these types of equipment is expected to rise further due to government investments in infrastructure development and the expansion of renewable energy projects. The implementation of the Italy Recovery And Resilience program is anticipated to drive the highest demand in the industry, exerting a dominating influence on the construction equipment market throughout the forecast period.

The construction equipment market in Italy is transitioning into a more innovative industry at a faster pace compared to other developing nations worldwide. This transition involves the adoption of intelligent systems powered by Internet of Things (IoT) technology and data analysis for enhanced service, networking, and sustainability.

Italy’s economy suffered adverse effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a ~6% contraction of GDP in 2020. However, in 2021, the economy witnessed a growth of ~6.2% as the government prioritized infrastructure improvements through investments of USD 381.8 million in public transport and USD 109.1 million in healthcare construction.

According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Italy’s economy is expected to grow by 4.6% in 2022 and 2.6% in 2023. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks Italy as the third-largest economy in the Eurozone and the eighth largest globally, with a GDP of approximately USD 2 trillion. In the first half of 2021, total investments in Italy amounted to USD 6.7 billion, compared to a negative flow of USD 4.6 billion during the same period in 2020. Italy provides a favorable business environment, boasting an excellent administrative setup, attractive foreign policies, and a young and skilled workforce. With a population of over 60 million and a GDP per capita exceeding USD 30,000, the domestic market offers numerous business opportunities in sectors such as construction and manufacturing.

Under the Italy Recovery And Resilience program, the government planned to invest USD 35.5 billion in 2021 to improve public transport infrastructure, including USD 31.5 billion for high-speed networks and road maintenance, as well as approximately USD 4 billion for inter-modality and integrated logistics investments.

Projects under this program include the coverage of access rail links such as the Turin-Lyon line and the 55-kilometer-long Brenner Base Tunnel, which are set to be completed by 2025. This line will connect Fortezza in Italy with the Austrian city of Innsbruck.

In 2021, the Italian government increased its National Health Fund budget to USD 133.7 billion. Consequently, the development of the healthcare system in the country, including the establishment of additional hospitals, is expected. For 2022, the government allocated USD 110.5 million for healthcare construction, specifically aimed at renovating and technologically modernizing buildings.

According to the European Construction Sector Observatory, Italy is facing a labor shortage in industries such as construction and manufacturing following the COVID-19 outbreak. This situation has increased the demand for high-capacity luffing tower cranes that expedite the construction process and reduce dependence on labor. Luffing tower cranes with lifting capacities of 60 tons, 100 tons, and 160 tons are in high demand in Italy. The demand for this segment is expected to rise alongside increased construction activity in Italy.

Italy relies on Russia for over 40% of its energy (gas) imports. Sanctions imposed on Russia due to the conflict with Ukraine have caused oil prices to rise sharply. Disruptions in the supply chain have led to an increase in Italy’s inflation rate, thereby devaluing the Euro against other currencies. According to the European Commission, Italy’s inflation rate is likely to rise by 3.8% year-on-year in 2022. The depreciation of the Euro makes imports more expensive and negatively impacts the demand for construction equipment. Italy heavily depends on imports for excavators, making the rise in inflation rates potentially detrimental to the demand for these machines.

Based on data from the European Rental Association (ERA), the construction equipment rental industry grew by 6.3% in 2021 and is estimated to grow by 5.6% in 2022. Leasing construction equipment instead of purchasing has proven to be profitable for all types of companies across Italy. The rental market enables customers and industries to reduce fixed costs, outsource risks, and enhance sustainability. The used construction equipment market offers greater opportunities than the new equipment market, as small and medium-sized businesses opt for rental or used equipment instead of purchasing new ones.

Given the impact of climate change, there is an increasing demand for fuel-efficient construction equipment in Italy. This demand has driven the adoption of electric and green hydrogen fuel-based equipment. In 2021, Edison SPA, an electricity and natural gas producer, collaborated with energy infrastructure company Snam SPA to implement the Puglia Green Hydrogen Valley project in Italy. The project involves the development of three green hydrogen production plants in Brindisi, Taranto, and Cerignola. Italy is also accelerating the electrification of construction machinery.

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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 material-handling equipment segment of the construction equipment market in Italy is projected to reach 82,233 units by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.35%. As of 2021, this segment already accounted for 69.8% of the overall construction equipment market in Italy. Material-handling equipment finds extensive use in various industries such as construction, manufacturing, cargo handling, logistics, warehousing, and mining. Notably, the Italy 2021-2030 development plan unveiled projects totaling $55.4 billion in 2021, which is expected to fuel the demand for material-handling equipment.

On the other hand, the construction segment of the Italy construction equipment market is estimated to grow to 53,210 units by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.67%. This particular segment constituted 41.4% of the Italy construction equipment market in 2021. The country is experiencing an upswing in civil engineering activities, thanks to government investments in transportation and infrastructure development projects.

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Competitive Landscape

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Caterpillar, Volvo Construction Equipment Italia SPA, Liebherr Group, Komatsu Group, CNH Industrial, and Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) hold a significant market share in the Italian construction equipment market. These companies possess a robust distribution network and extensive experience in Italy, collectively capturing approximately 70% of the total market share in 2021.

Merlo, with over 55 years of serving customers in the region, has established a longstanding presence in Italy. However, it falls behind SANY in terms of innovation, despite SANY having less than 35 years of experience. In early 2022, SANY introduced its first 300-ton electric-drive front shovel, showcasing its commitment to technological advancements.

In 2022, Kobelco unveiled two new next-generation construction equipment models, demonstrating their continuous efforts to bring innovative solutions to the market.

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Key Questions Answered

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WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MARKET?

The Italian construction equipment market is projected to reach 119,681 units by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.

WHO ARE THE MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MARKET?

The key players in the Italian construction equipment market include Caterpillar, Volvo, Liebherr, Komatsu, CNH Industrial, Hitachi, JCB, Xuzhou Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (XCMG), Kubota, and SANY.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW ENTRANTS IN THE ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY?

New entrants in the Italian construction equipment industry can leverage the growth in the construction, manufacturing, mining, and renewable energy sectors, which is driven by increasing government investments.

WHO ARE THE DISTRIBUTORS IN THE ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MARKET?

Distributors in the Italian construction equipment market include Abramo Mason SRL, Carmi SPA, Comar Commerciale SPA, GB Trucks, Comi SRL, and Rimat SRL.

WHAT ARE THE CURRENT TRENDS IN THE ITALIAN CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MARKET?

The current trends in the Italian construction equipment market include a shift towards fuel-efficient equipment due to concerns regarding climate change, and an increased demand for technology that enables communication and automation, such as IoT (Internet of Things), crane planner 2.0, and blokalert.