Used Machinery & Electrical Equipment Trends in 2025By Thomas (Tommy) Scanlan September 3, 2025 If 2025 has felt unusually busy, you’re not imagining it. Since launching the Surplus Record website in 1995, we’ve seen our share of growth spurts. But nothing compares to the surge in web traffic and inquiry volume this year. It's been our most active stretch in decades. In 2024, dealers called it flat and slow. After the post-COVID chaos of 2021 through 2023, last year felt like it stalled out. With election-year anxiety and global instability, many buyers froze up. Budgets were on hold. Projects were delayed. Early 2025 started similarly. Activity picked up slightly, but most of it looked like more tire-kicking. Then things snapped into gear around March. Inquiry volume spiked across nearly every equipment category. These weren’t casual browsers anymore. These were serious buyers. Tariffs caused some of the initial … [Read more...] about Used Machinery & Electrical Equipment Trends in 2025 Industrial News
Used Equipment Beats the ClockBy Thomas (Tommy) Scanlan July 20, 2025 The next time someone tells you new equipment is “on the way,” ask them how long. Because these days, the answer is usually months, not weeks. We’re constantly hearing reports from developers in new construction that lead times for new transformers regularly exceed six months. In some cases, especially for medium voltage or custom builds, it’s closer to a year. Electric motors? Same story. A basic 200 HP motor that used to be in stock everywhere is now showing 20 to 30-week delivery timelines. And if you need something over 500 HP, good luck. You’re not just ordering a motor anymore, you’re entering a queue. So what’s going on? First, global supply chains never really recovered from the pandemic. A lot of raw materials, especially copper and silicon steel, are still tight. Those materials are critical to power distribution … [Read more...] about Used Equipment Beats the Clock Industrial News
How Tier 5 Emission Standards Impact the Industrial Diesel Engine MarketBy Thomas (Tommy) Scanlan June 18, 2025 As environmental regulations continue to evolve, Tier 5 emission standards are poised to bring the next wave of change to the industrial diesel engine market. Although not yet finalized, discussions surrounding Tier 5 suggest even stricter limits on particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and greenhouse gas emissions—likely pushing manufacturers toward advanced aftertreatment systems, cleaner fuels, and hybrid-electric technologies. These changes are expected to impact everything from engine design and maintenance to equipment costs and market availability. Understanding the potential impact of Tier 5 regulations is critical for manufacturers, dealers, and end users alike. With increased compliance costs and new technology requirements on the horizon, businesses that plan ahead will be better positioned to remain … [Read more...] about How Tier 5 Emission Standards Impact the Industrial Diesel Engine Market Industrial News
The On-Going Tariff War Against ChinaBy Thomas (Tommy) Scanlan June 15, 2025Over the past several months, the tariff landscape between the United States and China has been in a constant state of flux. What started as a dramatic escalation in early April dubbed “Liberation Day” by President Trump saw tariffs spike to unprecedented levels. At the peak, US duties on Chinese imports reached 145%. China responded with levies as high as 125% on American goods. The tension sent shockwaves through global markets and created headaches for manufacturers trying to plan around the uncertainty. After a few volatile weeks, both countries agreed to dial things back. Today, tariffs on Chinese goods have been reduced to 30%. Chinese tariffs on US exports now sit at 10%. That’s still historically high, but it marks a notable de-escalation from the brink of a full-blown trade freeze. Even with this softening, the tariff … [Read more...] about The On-Going Tariff War Against China Industrial News
Perils of Renting Equipment: Hidden Fees & Long-Term CommitmentsBy Thomas (Tommy) Scanlan May 20, 2025When a project calls for specialized machinery or heavy equipment, renting can seem like a smart, flexible solution. After all, why purchase a large asset for short-term use? But while rentals offer some upfront convenience, they’re often riddled with drawbacks that can cost your business time, money, and efficiency in the long run. From hidden fees to misaligned timelines and frustrating auto-renew clauses, equipment rentals come with plenty of pitfalls. Before you sign that rental agreement, make sure you're aware of the risks. That’s not to say rentals are never appropriate—but many businesses jump into rental agreements without fully understanding the fine print or the true cost of being locked into someone else’s schedule. What starts as a short-term solution can quickly spiral into long-term headaches, especially when … [Read more...] about Perils of Renting Equipment: Hidden Fees & Long-Term Commitments Machinery and Equipment