AED Snapshot: The Tide is Turning
Posted by Amanda Kent on Tue, Feb 01, 2011 @ 02:10 PM
I spent the final days of last week in Orlando, Fla. at this year’s Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) Summit, and one thing is certain: there was an air of confidence and optimism unlike years past.
While there were still some cautious folks holding back their endorsement of the point of view that we’ve seen the worst of it, the overwhelming spirit of the event was quite positive. As you can see from recent editions of Manheim’s Heavy Truck and Equipment Monthly Market Report, used equipment is one of the few categories with steady sales and rising prices. Also encouraging is the fact that many financial institutions are slowly starting to lend again - especially important for the business owner who often requires large loans for costly used inventory investments.
The buzz around the trade floor included hopeful predictions about rising opportunities for people to get back to work - thanks to the upgrading of some cities, commercial buildings and roadways. As these projects get off the ground, equipment will once again be in higher demand and turned more frequently at auctions - a welcomed change for both buyers and sellers.
At Manheim Heavy Truck & Equipment’s exhibit area, we welcomed many new faces. It was great to get a chance to show customers who haven’t bought or sold at Manheim previously how we can help them tap into the best inventory around the country while showcasing new buying and selling tools like Proxibid. If we didn’t meet you at the show, give us a call at 1-866-MANHEIM to find out more about the convenience of using Manheim Heavy Truck & Equipment. You can also check out our online sales calendar of monthly auctions any time.
During the Summit, I had a chance to speak with Al Ramirez, advertising sales manager for AED. He noted that this year’s attendance numbers and exhibitor numbers were both up overall, although numbers for West Coast attendees were down – possibly a result of recent airfare increases? It’s definitely a sign that people are still being cautious with their spending, so our fingers are crossed that we’re indeed right on the edge of a breakthrough for the equipment industry. In the meantime, keep in mind that online buying and selling can save you time and money.
To learn more about Manheim Heavy Truck & Equipment’s monthly equipment sales, please click here.
Amanda Kent is Manheim's National Heavy Truck & Equipment Manager. A 15-year auction veteran, Amanda has been with Manheim Heavy Truck & Equipment Auctions for two years.