Whenever I look at the construction and rental equipment industry across Canada, I’m struck by the resilience and determination of our sector. Even with a cooling market and new challenges, our industry keeps moving.
Many of us went into 2025 planning for growth, only to face project delays, rising costs, and new import tariffs that caused a lot of uncertainty.
It’s a clear reminder of how quickly conditions can shift. We all had to pivot fast, leaning on trusted partners, shuffling teams, and finding creative ways to keep things moving.
We have learned some important lessons along the way: when everything else is uncertain, a clear strategy can be a competitive advantage.
In 2026, our industry will continue to adapt, innovate, and contribute billions to Canada’s economy. Competitive pressures and budget constraints may remain, but new public sector infrastructure commitments are creating opportunities for growth and could help support contractors.
Success in this high-stakes environment will hinge on adaptability. The companies that thrive will be those who leverage partnerships and recognize the true value of their people, technology, and equipment strategy.
Smarter job sites need smarter tools
In 2026, real-time equipment insights will become a true competitive advantage. With the right data, you can see, understand, and act on issues instantly, turning information into smarter decisions.
We hear it from our customers all the time: data alone isn’t enough. The real value comes from turning everyday job site activity into actionable insights: reducing guesswork, increasing uptime, and maintaining greater control over equipment.
Overspending on rentals is all too common. A contractor rents a more expensive compact track loader when a skid-steer loader would have been more suitable to the application, often because the rental provider didn’t ask the right questions or lacked the expertise to spot the opportunity to advise the contractor accordingly.
To work smarter in 2026, focus on your biggest cost drivers like labour and materials, and work with your rental equipment provider to specify the right equipment for the job. This will help you define and analyze the data that truly matters to your business.
Your people matter — invest in them
Even the smartest tools won’t move the needle without the right people using them. A skilled, engaged workforce is one of the strongest competitive advantages, because even the best equipment strategy depends on those who can execute it.
Technology can help offset labour shortages, but you still need the right people with the right mindset. Training, mentorship, continuous learning, and clear career pathways are key to attracting and retaining talent. We are often moving team members into new opportunities to learn and develop their skills: helping them strengthen their expertise and build a highly capable team that stands apart from our competition.
The talent pool is tight. So many companies are struggling to attract, hire, and keep workers. Rethink what makes the ideal candidate. Technical skills can be taught, so broaden your reach and tap into new talent pools. Your people are the most important asset for navigating the year ahead.
