t is better that mining equipment is supplied by complete sets. If all of the equipment is provided by the same manufacturer, the subsequent maintenance costs can be reduced greatly. Therefore, mining equipment manufacturers often merge and acquire other companies to expand the market , every giant has exprienced 10-20 M&A casses. At the end of 2010, caterpillar acquired bucyrus for USD 808 billion, in 2012, it acquired ERA Mining Machinery for USD 887 million. In early 2012, Joy Global acquired IMM.

There are numerous mining equipment manufacturers in Northern Europe, and most of them are located in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and northern Germany. Sandvik and Atlascopco are Swedish manufacturers, Metso and Outotec are Finnish manufacturers, while Flsmidth is a Danish manufacturer. Besides, there are many small producers. Although European sovereign debt crisis spreads and economies run badly, these manufacturers have seen prosperity, with the new orders and revenue almost growing by 20% each in 2012.

Chinese mining equipment and manufcturers are mainly coal mining machinery manufacturers. In China, there are over 100 coal mining machinery manufacturers, and 95% of coal mining machinery is produced by China independently. Coal mining machinery includes four major categories, namely roadheaders, shearers, scraper chain converor and hydraulic supports. Tiandi Science & Technology and Sany are main roadheader manufacturers. Tiandi Science & Technology is also a shearer giant. Roadheaders and shearers are with high technical content, while scraper chain conveyors feature low technology, so there are many scraper chain conveyor manufactures. Most of hydraulic supports are involved with low technology, but the ones with the resistance of more than 10,000 KN require high technology. Also, there are many hydraulic support manufacturers.