Construction and Mining Equipment Wholesalers

The 2,600 Construction and mining equipment wholesalers in the US distribute specialized machinery, equipment, and related parts generally used in construction, mining (except oil well), and logging activities. Firms may sell or rent new or used equipment and parts. Companies may also provide repair and maintenance services.

Dependence on the Economy

Demand for construction and mining machinery and equipment is dependent on the economy, which is cyclical and impacted by the financial markets.

Fleet Electrification

New emissions standards and the shift away from fossil fuels are driving demand for electric and lower-emission machinery and equipment used in the construction and mining industries.

Jul 18, 2026 - Construction Backlog Slips, but Confidence Remains High

• The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Construction Backlog Indicator fell 0.3 months to 8.8 months in June 2026 compared to May. The infrastructure backlog remained unchanged at 10.1 months in June, while the heavy industrial backlog dropped by 0.3 months to 9.7 months over the same period. June’s commercial and institutional construction backlog rose 0.1 months to 8.9 months compared to May. The ABC’s Construction Confidence Index for sales rose to 63.6 in June from 61.1 in May. A Confidence Index sales reading of 50 or more indicates most contractors are optimistic about sales. ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu said that while June backlogs slipped slightly, they were higher than at any point between September 2023 and April 2026, led by the data center building frenzy. However, the boom in data center activity has mostly benefited larger firms.
• Construction industry confidence held steady in the second quarter, with Engineering News-Record's (ENR) Construction Industry Confidence Index remaining at 54 and its Economic Index staying at 48 for a third consecutive quarter. Index readings of 50 or more suggest a healthy industry. Executives reported weaker views of the current market but slightly improved expectations for the next 12 to 18 months. General contractors and construction managers were the most confident, while design firms improved and subcontractors slipped. Larger firms remained more optimistic than smaller ones. More than 75% of ENR respondents reported upward price pressure. Industry watchers suggest inflation, higher rate expectations, and materials costs are weighing on contractors, though strong demand, especially for data centers, continues to support the market.
• Demand for building design services declined in May 2026 over the prior month, as architectural billings remain soft, according to a June report by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The AIA’s Architecture Billing Index (ABI) fell to 44.5 in May from April's reading of 48.3. Any reading of 50 or more indicates growth in architectural billings. The score for new project inquiries fell to 49.4 in May, down from 57.7 in April, and the index for the value of new design contracts decreased from 48.0 to 45.0. The AIA’s Chief Economist, Richard Branch said, "The uncertainty created by the Iran conflict, and substantially higher energy costs, weighed on architect billings in May. Higher interest rates, rapidly rising material costs, and continued labor shortages all contributed to softer demand."
• Bedrock Robotics, a San Francisco start-up developing autonomous systems for excavators and other heavy construction equipment, has raised $270 million in new funding, valuing the company at $1.75 billion, according to The New York Times. The technology is designed to automate earthmoving and site preparation tasks while working alongside human operators, thereby increasing efficiency, safety, and productivity on construction sites. The approach comes as the construction industry faces persistent labor shortages, with Associated Builders & Contractors estimating the sector will need 349,000 additional workers in 2026 and 456,000 in 2027 to meet demand. Bedrock’s systems can be added to existing machines from manufacturers such as Caterpillar, allowing contractors to deploy the technology without replacing equipment. For the construction industry, the technology could help firms complete projects faster, extend equipment operating hours, and offset workforce shortages as demand for housing, factories, and data centers grows.

Industry size & Structure

The average construction and mining equipment wholesaler operates one to two locations, employs about 42 workers, and generates $40.3 million in annual revenue.

• The construction and mining equipment wholesaling industry includes about 2,600 firms that employ 109,100 workers, and generate $104.9 billion in annual revenue.
• The industry is somewhat concentrated with the 50 largest companies accounting for 62% of industry revenue.
• Wholesalers include independent dealers for major machinery manufacturers, such as Caterpillar, CNH Industrial, Deere & Co., and Komatsu Mining Corp. A dealership group operates multiple retail locations.
• The largest construction dealership groups include Titan Machinery (Case), RDO Equipment (John Deere), Butler Machinery Co. (Caterpillar), Ziegler Inc. (Caterpillar), and Wagner Equipment Co. (Caterpillar).