Auction house Pickles reports that auction and sale results for the past year have shown that the second-hand market remains vital to the earthmoving industries.
2025 will be remembered as a year when continued trust in Australia’s used market rewarded buyers and vendors with consistent results.
With the extreme highs of the post-pandemic boom long gone, the industrial market experienced a re-balancing and achieved stability over the previous 12 months.
Despite early projections forecasting a softer outlook for industrial activity — in part due to the uncertainty around the Federal Election — the market experienced a steady year in 2025.
Prior to this, concerns were raised around how the market would behave once Australia returned to business as usual. However, the drastic decline in turnover anticipated for buyers and vendors never eventuated.
Pickles experienced a record year of results in 2025, with $600 million secured in industrial equipment sold across the past 12 months. Now, with the industrial market set to break new ground in 2026, it’s important to reflect on the trends and fluctuations of the previous year to help inform and steer our shared industry future.
How the industrial market unfolded
The industry overall saw a return to stability in the first quarter of 2025, as an increase in market activity defined the January to March period with results outperforming those of Q4 in 2024.
A stronger interest in used machinery over new equipment acquisitions signalled a shift in preference that, combined with increased buyer activity, led to higher bids per asset and fostered a steadier market.
The introduction of Euro 6 standards — which are designed to reduce vehicle emissions and help meet targets — had a major impact. Historically, there is a hesitation to adapt to newer models, and this continued over the course of 2025.
Operators faced difficulties gaining access to new models in the Euro 6 specification, leading to a spike in the second-hand market where used models are a known quantity. This led to established brands such as Isuzu and Hino experiencing a 10-15 per cent price rise for branded trucks that were ready and available.
As the economic direction for the rest of the year became clearer post-election, Pickles flourished in Q2, with more than $60m in sales in June alone. Once May concluded and the Federal Election passed, operators began making critical moves for their businesses, whether that be to buy, sell, retire, or liquidate.
This change in atmosphere led to more movement in the industry and an increase in clearance rates, which had slumped in Q2, but lifted by the end of September.
The status of the market in Q3 and Q4 favoured those who accepted the fluctuating nature of the industrial market. Large event auctions picked up, courtesy of insolvency and retirements, with sales remaining strong up until the Christmas period.
There was a departure from caution as Pickles saw a large number of sellers enter the market, and buyers who were decisive and in need of ready, available, and quality equipment.
In addition, there were a number of insolvency-driven sales, particularly in the line haul transport space. With the Australian market levelling out over the past year, it’s expected that this momentum will continue to build into the new year.
Auction spotlights
As a major Australian auction house, Pickles possesses the knowledge and expertise to secure businesses the most bang for their buck at auction. The benefit of taking your fleet to auction is that, historically, auctions can draw a premium when there’s a larger consolidation of assets, as it creates selling motivations that appeal to buyers.
This surge in available assets encourages competitive bidding, with buyers feeling a greater chance of securing what they want when there are more items for sale. Feature and event auctions are effective for vendors looking to sell large quantities of assets in one go, as it helps to clear their inventory in a timely fashion and at a premium price.
Businesses looking to restructure, retire, or downsize larger amounts of equipment can capitalise on standalone event sales with Pickles. By prioritising the quality and story of not only the equipment but the business as well, Pickles drives a premium price by offering equipment to an exclusive marketplace of eager buyers.
Among many auction highlights, two retirement sales from 2025 reflect Pickles’ ability to maximise results and to work effectively to achieve a satisfying result for two historic Australian businesses.
Templemichael Constructions Retirement Auction
Following the retirement of Templemichael Constructions, Pickles was entrusted to sell the company’s fleet of civil construction equipment.
The goal was clear: maximise the fleet’s value and secure an outcome that reflected the legacy of Templemichael.
Late-model Volvo articulated dump trucks, a range of excavators, crushing and screening equipment, Drake floats, Kenworth prime movers, and more than 100 attachments were offered. Plenty of enthusiastic buyers showed interest in buying from a selection of mostly single-use and ownership assets, leading to a 100 per cent clearance rate and more than $5.2m in total sales.
Francis Transport Retirement Sale
Held in September, the Francis Transport Retirement Sale bid farewell to a historic Australian company following over 115 years of service.
Pickles was proud to guide this process for Francis Transport and to help offload a range of transport assets, including curtain side trailers, prime movers, and rigids from Kenworth.
The sale enabled buyers to own a piece of Australian trucking history and attracted an eager volume of bidders, ensuring a strong result with $2.4m accrued in total sales.
Why 2026 shows promise
Ultimately, 2025 was a year of market normalisation in the Australian industrial sector, characterised by the ongoing appeal of construction, agriculture, mining, transport, and logistics.
Rising operational costs for industrial businesses led to an increased interest in the used industrial market, which is where Pickles continues to prove its worth. Looking ahead, the industry will be boosted by the experience of enduring the market’s fluctuations in 2025.
From a digital viewpoint, Pickles has levelled up in the last few years, with 2025 marking a period when customers searched more than ever. Search activity jumped 36.8 per cent and organic search sessions grew by 23.4 per cent, a sign of stronger intent and engagement.
With technology continuing to evolve from both an asset valuation and equipment standpoint, Pickles’ digital marketplace is set to unveil further resources to assist buyers and vendors in 2026, with customer service and innovation remaining at the forefront.
With hundreds of industry experts located across the country, a wealth of sales data at its disposal, and a large range of used industrial equipment, Pickles remains a major name in auctioneering for a reason.
To speak with a Pickles Industrial expert or to find what you need, visit pickles.com.au.