2026 Outlook
We focus on the heavy-lift and OW / OD transport arenas, and most of our work involves data centers, power generation and energy( oil and gas).
For us, all three of these market segments are hot at the moment and look to remain so.
The same eternal macro-economic factors will continue to affect us, with geopolitical stability being key.
Ongoing supply chain issues and shortages of skilled labor will continue to constrain our industry.
On the upside, trade deals are being inked, which brings stability to tariffs, helping normalize pricing for materials and equipment.
The trade deals provide much needed economic certainty.
While I’ m not a fan of tariffs, they are generating one positive effect. Taken in concert with the tax relief and incentives of the One Big Beautiful Bill, they’ ve started a drive among domestic and foreign corporations to reshore manufacturing here in the U. S.
I think this will launch in Q3-Q4 2026 and continue well beyond.
AGC analysis shows how key categories of construction fared from August 2023 to August 2025. In a recent survey, AGC said that data centers, airports, religion-related buildings and other projects that don’ t rely on federal funding offer the best opportunities for 2026.
Then, of course, there is the AI data center“ gold rush” and its colossal electrical power demand.
The beauty of this for the heavy lift / heavy transport industry is that all of it( data centers, generating stations, transmission and distribution systems) has very large, heavy and expensive things that require movement.
Life for the foreseeable future for those of us in this business should be quite good.
Data centers and the supporting energy infrastructure( electric generation, transmission and distribution) will be particularly active.
Nuclear powered generation seems to be enjoying a long-awaited renaissance.
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www. cranehotline. com • December 2025 13