Shipment value of 10 major construction machines is projected to increase 2% in 2014 to 2.1 trillion yen, and 1% up in the following year, the Japan Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association announced on August 26. The value is expected to maintain the level of 2 trillion yen for consecutive three years since 2013.

Projected exports will reach 60% of the total value in 2014 and 61% in 2015, showing steady increase from 57% in 2013. The group forecasts domestic shipment will decrease 5% to 851.5 billion yen in 2014 recording the first decline in five years, while overseas shipping is estimated to rise 7% to 1.25 trillion yen for the first time in three years. A sharp fall in the top-selling product, hydraulic shovels will offset increase of the rest of the kinds stemming from booming domestic investment. Steady recovery in markets such as North America, Europe and Asia will underpin the promising projection, said the association. (2014/08/27)