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Heavy Construction Equipment Demand to Rise

Worldwide demand for heavy construction equipment is projected to rise 5.4 percent annually through 2009 to $106 billion, according to World Heavy Construction Equipment, a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm.

Growth will be supported by the expected continued expansion of emerging markets, with high points including Eastern Europe, India and China. Within the triad (i.e. North America, Japan and Western Europe), North America is expected to maintain its lead in terms of both the overall size of demand and growth potential, as the growth prospects for Japan and Western Europe will be hampered by a combination of negative demographic and structural trends, including aging populations and high levels of regulation and taxation.

Construction equipment demand will continue to benefit from China’s aggressive industrialization efforts. Meanwhile, expected infrastructure and economic improvements in Eastern Europe should help to strongly increase construction equipment demand in the region.

Within the Triad, North America’s heavy construction equipment demand has been driven by the explosive U.S. real estate market. Future growth is expected to remain healthy in the region. Demand for construction equipment in Japan will benefit from an improvement in fixed investment activity, but is expected to continue to be undercut by soft public sector investment. Most Western European markets are expected to post only moderate construction equipment growth due to the strong Euro, an aging population, political turmoil and other constraints.

Plans Unveiled for Rental Show 50th Anniversary

The American Rental Association and The Rental Show will recognize half a century of rental industry progress in Orlando , Feb. 6–9, 2006, with their strongest, most extensive show lineup in 50 years. Two new anniversary events, an expanded educational seminar schedule, a keynote address from former first lady Barbara Bush and 700 rental product exhibitors will make The Rental Show 50 th Anniversary a unique and valuable experience for attendees.