At this year’s industry events, one thing became very clear: equipment manufacturers are expanding beyond their traditional categories to compete across more segments of the construction equipment market. Two companies making notable moves are Skyjack and MEC, each taking different approaches to growth and innovation.

Discover the top aerial equipment and telehandler trends from ARA and CONEXPO 2026, including Genie RECON, Manitou electric telehandlers, Skyjack’s SJ3232 E, and AI-driven fleet intelligence tools. See how these innovations are shaping fleet ROI through higher utilization, lower costs, and smarter lifecycle management.

More fleet owners are prioritizing maintenance over replacement as higher equipment acquisition costs and longer ownership cycles continue to shape purchasing decisions across the industry. Rather than replacing machines at earlier intervals, many businesses are choosing to extend the life of their existing fleets through proactive service, refurbishment, and repainting.

The 2026 trade show season is shaping up to be a significant one for the equipment industry. Two major events — CONEXPO and The ARA Show — will bring together manufacturers, dealers, service providers, and industry leaders from across North America.

Stack Equipment has opened its fourth location in Concord, North Carolina, expanding our footprint to better support customers across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond. This new Concord facility allows us to deliver faster response times, increased service availability, and more localized support for contractors, rental companies, and fleet owners throughout North Carolina and surrounding states.