Over the past two years, the United States has gone all-in on reshoring semiconductor manufacturing, with aparticular focus on the chips that power artificial intelligence. More than $500 billion in private sector commitments have been announced since the passage of the CHIPS Act, and fabs are springing up from Arizona to New York. TSMC’s Arizona “gigafab” complex alone is slated to host up to six facilities over the next decade. Nvidia just backed Intel with a $5 billion investment, betting on a future where U.S. chip capacity can rival Asia’s dominance. For now, though, it remains just that… a bet. Building fabs isn’t like flipping a switch. Advanced facilities take years to complete, rely on scarce skilled labor, and require vast amounts of power, water, and specialized equipment. Even as groundbreaking ceremonies grab headlines, … [Read more...] about The Great Gamble on U.S. AI Chipmaking
Industry News
Used Machinery & Electrical Equipment Trends in 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
Used Equipment Beats the Clock
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
How Tier 5 Emission Standards Impact the Industrial Diesel Engine Market
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
The On-Going Tariff War Against China
Over 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
