The first three months of this year saw improved earnings on the back of increased sales, deliveries and order intake. The period also saw the launch of a new range of Volvo CE Tier 4 Final/Stage IV compliant models.
Much of the improvement during Q1 2014 came from higher sales of smaller machines, while larger machine sales remained relatively subdued. The biggest sales increase was across North America, where sales were up 21% during the period, compared to the same three months in 2013.
During the first three months of 2014 Volvo Construction Equipment saw net sales grow by 10% to SEK 13,371 million (SEK 12,136 million in Q1 2013). When adjusted for currency movements, growth increased by 11%. Operating income was also up during the period, increasing to SEK 647 million, compared to SEK 500 million in the first quarter of 2013, while operating margin strengthened to 4.8%, up from 4.1%. Deliveries increased by 11% compared to the same period a year ago, while the order intake was 9% higher than in the same quarter in 2013.
These results come amid a gradual improvement in the market situation. Measured in units, Europe grew by 15% during the first two months of 2014, while North America was up by 7% despite a harsh winter. South America saw demand fall, caused mainly by Brazil, where most of the large government-funded projects have been delivered, as well as reduced demand for commodities. The Total Asian market, excluding China, strengthened by 4% compared to 2013, thanks largely to a 38% improvement in Japan. This was offset somewhat by further declines in India and South East Asia. Compared to the low levels seen in 2013, China saw growth in the first two months of the year; its loader and excavator segment increased by 7% and there was a continued shift towards compact equipment.
The prospects for the rest of the year remain modest, according to Volvo CE. Measured in units, Europe and North America are both expected to grow by 0-10%, while South America and Asia (excluding China) are forecast to decline by up to 10%. China, meanwhile, is expected to develop in the region of -5% to +5% during 2014.
“The seasonally strong first quarter had a positive impact on volumes, which contributed to improved profitability compared with the weak close of 2013,” said Volvo CE’s president Martin Weissburg. “The situation continues to be challenging, particularly for customers and dealers with large exposures to the mining industry. That said, we expect a moderate growth in Volvo CE’s mature markets.”
Conexpo 2014, the construction equipment industry’s largest event of the year, held in Las Vegas March 4-8 2014, saw Volvo CE unveil an overhaul of its core product range. Some of the new machines include the H-Series wheeled loaders, E-Series excavators, G-Series articulated haulers and C-Series motor graders, as well as a host of emissions-compliant road machinery introductions. All new machines meet, where necessary, the low emission requirements of Tier 4 Final/Stage IV legislation, which came into force in North America and the EU in January 2014.
