CONEXPO-CON/AGG is not just “another trade show.” Held every three years in Las Vegas, it is the largest construction and heavy equipment expo in the world, bringing more than 2 000 exhibitors to showcase the latest machines, digital platforms and industrial innovations - and South African capital-equipment stakeholders pay attention for very specific reasons.
For South African procurement leaders, dealers, rental companies and fleet managers, CONEXPO is a strategic touchpoint where global product pipelines, dealer networks, telematics standards, electrification plans and rental business models are revealed months - sometimes years - before they hit local markets.
Here’s how this global show directly influences the South African capital-equipment market - with concrete examples of participating OEMs and technology vendors relevant to South African contexts.
Earthmoving and heavy-equipment OEMs: product launches that matter
One of the most important facets of CONEXPO for South African buyers is the earthmoving segment - because up-to-date loaders, excavators, dozers and haul trucks are core to mining, civil works and infrastructure projects.
At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, major global OEMs confirmed to exhibit include:
- Caterpillar - showcasing new motor graders, excavators and autonomous features, plus enhanced Fleet Management and VisionLink telematics tools that improve productivity and safety on large sites.
- John Deere/Wirtgen Group - planning to launch 24 new machines, encompassing asphalt, compaction, milling and heavy duty earthmoving equipment - directly informing what specification options South African buyers will compare next cycle.
- Liebherr Construction Equipment - major presence with cranes, earthmoving and technology displays across a huge stand, crucial for buyers evaluating lift-integrated or smart construction tech.
- Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) - bringing next-generation articulated haul trucks like the A60 articulated hauler, which integrates telematics and productivity enhancements that South African quarry and mining firms prize.
- Hitachi, Kobelco and Develon - also confirmed with heavy equipment exhibits across earthmoving and foundation gear, offering South African equip buyers comparisons across global brands.
For South African fleets, seeing actual machines in motion, not just catalogue specs, helps narrow capital investment decisions and assess total cost of ownership before purchase or import.
Road haulage, heavy trucks and hauling systems
The hauling segment, especially heavy trucks that move materials between mines, quarries and urban worksites, is another priority category for South African operators.
At CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, several leading heavy road-haulage producers and truck OEMs will be exhibiting, including:
- Kenworth and Peterbilt - North American heavy truck leaders whose models are often evaluated by South African fleet buyers for rugged, long-haul capacity.
- Mack Trucks - showcasing heavy-duty vocational trucks suitable for tough applications in infrastructure and mining logistics.
- International Trucks - featuring robust solutions for off-road and commercial transport that complement haulage operations.
Importantly, these manufacturers also link their trucks to OEM-agnostic telematics and fleet-management systems - bringing fleet data into one pane of glass for South African operators.
Telematics and digital platforms: the data revolution
CONEXPO now dedicates substantial space to construction technology - and this is where South African companies gain edge in productivity, uptime and maintenance efficiency.
Key telematics and software vendors confirmed for the 2026 show include:
- HCSS (Heavy Construction Systems Specialists) - leaders in fleet and project management software.
- Hexagon - digital solutions for precision measurement and data integration, vital for engineering accuracy.
- Autodesk - whose digital design and mobile platforms are increasingly integrated with machine data.
- Tenna - IoT-driven fleet tracking and analytics — a partner of rental companies and fleets globally.
Data from telematics platforms helps South African fleets improve asset utilisation, schedule maintenance proactively, and benchmark unit performance across different job sites - all crucial in a market with high operating costs and tight project margins.
Electrification and sustainable powertrain technologies
Electrification and low-emission drivetrains are reshaping equipment choices worldwide - and CONEXPO 2026 is spotlighting this trend.
Examples of exhibitors pushing electrification include:
- Volvo Penta - showcasing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and future electric driveline components for equipment OEMs.
- Bonfiglioli - presenting electric and hydraulic drive solutions that support electrified earthmoving equipment and hybrid systems — critical for lower operating emissions.
South African specifiers, especially in urban or environmental-sensitive projects, are watching these tech roadmaps to plan future fleet turnovers in project bids that favour low emissions or zero-emission equipment.
Rental providers and new ownership models
While global OEMs form the backbone of capital investment, equipment rental companies - which many South African firms use to scale without heavy capex - also have a presence at CONEXPO.
At the 2026 show, major rental and service-model innovators include:
- CASE Construction Equipment - whose display emphasises practical solutions for rental businesses and crews alike.
- JLG - vertical lifts and access equipment often integrated into rental fleets — helpful for South African rental houses.
- Manitou and Tadano - mobile lifting and telehandler brands commonly stocked by rentals globally.
- Brokk and Husqvarna - demolition and accessory rentals that broaden rental offerings.
For South African rental businesses, CONEXPO is a window into what equipment end-users will request next, and which OEMs are committed to supporting rentals with parts, training and warranty support in new markets.
