Construction equipment sales by 50 of the world's largest manufacturers grew 2.6% in 2012 to USD186 billion, according to KHL Group.

The group's Yellow Table Survey, which ranks the world's 50 largest construction equipment makers, showed few changes at the top of the table, with the industry's longstanding number one and number two, US-based Caterpillar and Japan's Komatsu, holding the positions they have had for over a decade.

Sany remains China's largest equipment manufacturer, in fifth place globally, while another Chinese company, Zoomlion, overtook Swiss-headquartered Liebherr to claim sixth place. Terex remained at number eight while at number nine, John Deere has swapped places with Doosan, which was 10th in this year's Yellow Table.

Metso Mining and Construction was ranked number 12 and is the industry's largest specialist manufacturer. Its expanded sales from its portfolio of crushing and screening equipment took it up three places compared to the previous year's rankings.

It was a good year for other specialists, with powered access and telehandler maker JLG, which is owned by Oshkosh, rising four places to number 17 and crane builder Manitowoc moving up two to number 18.

The growth figure of just 2.6% was attributed to falls in revenues for China's equipment manufacturers. Their share of total revenues fell from 16.9% in 2012's survey to 15% - equivalent to USD 27.9 billion. It was the first time in the 10-year history of the Yellow Table that China's share of the top 50's revenues has fallen. This drop equated to a loss in absolute terms of about USD2.7 billion year-on-year, again a first for China's construction equipment manufacturers.

As a result, six out of the nine Chinese manufacturers listed in the Yellow Table slipped down the rankings last year, and one company listed in the 2012 edition dropped out of the top 50.

Chris Sleight, the author of the report, says weak market conditions in China were clearly a decisive factor for the global industry last year. "Despite the string of acquisitions we've seen from some of China's key manufacturers, overall revenues still fell, although the largest groups - Sany, Zoomlion and XCMG - managed to maintain their standings. Fortunately, the strength among North American manufacturers was enough to offset this and deliver some growth."

UK-headquartered KHL Group is a media company that supplies international construction information worldwide. Besides publishing magazines, books and newsletters, it holds expos like APEX and the International Rental Exhibition.

The group or any of its individual titles are members of associations that include the US-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers, American Rental Association and the European Confederation of Equipment Distributors.

Table: http://www.khl-group.com/E_CASTS/KHL/khl_editorial/2013/080413/index.html