Volvo Construction Equipment reports that it has reduced production and inventory in its facilities along with inventories at its dealers in response to a drop in sales and an “uncertain outlook.”

Volvo CE released its third quarter earnings report with little good news to be found as the manufacturer saw its net sales fall 9% from the same quarter in 2011.

Volvo cites a “weakening total market” that was down 11% this as of August along with “increased price competition” for the dip. The company reports that order intake was heavily affected by these conditions as well with its order book value dropping 24 percent from the same time last year.

“The lower economic activity and the uncertainty about the future are impacting customers’ willingness to invest in new equipment,” said Pat Olney, president of Volvo CE, in a statement. “As a consequence, we have reduced production in our facilities and managed to reduce both our own inventories and those at our dealers.”

The company reports it has seen a “slowdown of global demand” that has heavily affected profitability. The company reports a 55% decrease in operating income from $215 million $97 million.

For Volvo, the North American market continues to be a brighter spot as the company expects to see an increase between 15% and 25%. Meanwhile, the South America is expected to rise between as much as 10%. However, those changes for the North and South American markets were previously forecasted.

Unfortunately, Volvo sees “few signs of change in the short term” as the European market is expected to be down between 0 and 10% in the remaining months of 2012 and demand in China is expected to fall between 25% and 35%.