Slower to equip

Cranes, graders, pavers, rollers, excavators, and trenching machines are among the equipment that make factories, offices, houses, schools, roads, airports, and the other "products" of the construction industry possible. For U.S.-based construction-equipment manufacturers, 1998 sales to global markets are expected to be a couple percentage points below 1997's growth marks -- but still at respectable levels, indicates the Construction Industry Manufacturers Assn., Milwaukee.