According to the annual Yellow Table survey the industry set a new record, but the low growth rate was indicative of weaker conditions in China.

The Yellow Table world rankings saw relatively few changes this year with US-based Caterpillar and Japan’s Komatsu, continuing to hold the top two positions they have had for well over a decade.

But Hitachi moved up to reclaim third place in the world rankings from Volvo Construction.

Further down the top 10, Sany remained China’s largest equipment manufacturer, in 5th position globally, while Zoomlion overtook Liebherr to claim sixth spot.

Terex remained at no. 8, while at no. 9, John Deere has swapped places with Doosan, which was 10th in this year’s Yellow Table.

Outside the top 10 there were some more significant moves. Metso Mining and Construction ranks as the industry’s largest specialist manufacturer, with increased sales from its portfolio of crushing and screening equipment taking it up three places to 12th.

Powered access and telehandler maker JLG, which is owned by Oshkosh, rises four places to 17th and crane builder Manitowoc moving up two to rank 18.

Top 10 plant manufacturers

The weak growth figure of just 2.6% is down 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 $27.9 billion.

It was the first time in the 10-year history of publisher KHL’s Yellow Table that China’s share of the top 50’s revenues fell.

This drop equated to a loss in absolute terms of some $2.7 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.