Top construction stories in 2008
19 December 2008
Following the re-launch of www.khl.com on April, visitor numbers have grown steadily throughout the year, so many of the more popular stories in terms of the number of times they were viewed were published later in 2008.
Having said, two of the most read stories were published in the summer, and linked to streaming video presentations on two key benchmark studies - International Construction's ranking of the world's 200 largest construction companies and the Construction Europe listing of the region's 100 biggest players.
The most read-about project this year was the renovation of the Panama Canal, with two stories on this scheme making it into the top ten. On the downside, another of our biggest project stories this year, was November's news that construction of the Trump Tower in Dubai was being put on hold because of the effects of the credit crisis.
The effects of the credit crisis on the European equipment market made the news in October, following the publication of a new forecast by Off-Highway Research. But, the more positive news from this specialist forecasting company about the strength of the Indian market was also a widely-read story.
The other major construction equipment stories of the year were Doosan's acquisition of Moxy, and the announcement of a three-way alliance to build wheeled loaders between Hitachi, Kawasaki and TCM.
Here is the top ten in full:
1. VIDEO: The world's 200 largest construction companies2. IDB loan for Panama Canal expansion
3. VIDEO: The CE-100 - Europe's largest construction companies
4. Panama Canal expansion5. Credit crunch hits European equipment sales
6. Indian equipment market to overtake Japan in two years 8. Trump Tower put on hold 10. Construction growth to slow to +2% in 2009
