With the New Year in full swing, it's time to look back at the trends that shaped Canada's construction industry in 2013 and and make predictions for the coming year. From mining and road building struggles to an upswing in forestry and oil and gas activity and Tier 4 engine adoption, there is a lot to cover.

Learn more about the issues that could impact your business in the next year by downloading our article "A Look Back and a View Forward," or reading it in the Dec. 23 issue of Equipment Journal.

It's no surprise that heavy equipment loses value over time. So why do many equipment owners allow their equipment yards to fill up with idle machines rather than maintaining an active fleet of equipment? As the economy continues to recover, it’s important for fleet managers to be smart about their inventory and cash flow and understand how they can best manage their company’s investments.

When assessing whether to keep equipment or sell it, organizations should consider several things. Franklin Langham, Vice President of Sales for IronPlanet explores these points in the Sept. 30 issue of Equipment Journal. Download the article here: Depreciation Dilemma: Managing Idle Equipment

Managing fleets requires ongoing diligence to ensure that underutilized equipment can be easily and quickly replaced with different items. When developing a fleet management strategy, understanding the benefits of online used equipment auctions can help fleet managers better maximize value. Maintaining equipment with its eventual sale in mind and knowing its present market value are variables that can help yield higher profits when it’s time to rotate the fleet.

To read more about the benefits of using online used equipment auctions and developing a fleet maintenance strategy, check out our Rental Management article from Paul Hendrix, equipment pricing analyst for IronPlanet.

The American economy has emerged from the recession, yet when the nation as a whole is on the mend, the recovery is slow-going for many. The construction industry has seen increases in new housing starts and the development of business and government construction projects, which has improved conditions for plenty of businesses and contractors. While new projects are coming in, many companies may still be recovering financially. Those that are in need of construction equipment to complete new jobs may want to consider buying used equipment.

The foreman of a construction crew has a lot to worry about, from managing a work site to ensuring his or her employees have the construction equipment they need to get the job done. IronPlanet's mobile app, available for iPhone and Android users, makes it easy for construction workers to search for the items they need no matter where they are.
Say, for instance, a rock drill breaks down in the middle of a job. The mobile app makes it easy to look for a replacement right away. Users can search by equipment type, category, location and keyword. When they need equipment in a hurry, they are also able to search by auction end date. Featured Auction items are available for viewing on the mobile app, and since these sales are held every week, they may be advantageous for those who need equipment like drills, forklifts or other items in a hurry. The Daily Marketplace may not have an auction ending in the right time frame for what a construction company needs, but the Featured Auction provides more options.

IronPlanet welcomes sellers and buyers from around the world to participate in its weekly Featured Auctions as well as the Daily Marketplace. This creates a larger pool of equipment for bidders to choose from, making it easier for them to find the goods they need. While it does provide benefits, purchasing equipment internationally can also make the shipping process a bit more complicated.Whether buying domestic or purchasing construction equipment and agriculture equipment from another country, the buyer is responsible for arranging transportation.

Buying big ticket items online can be a daunting task for many, but when it comes to agriculture equipment and construction equipment, IronPlanet helps buyers make informed decisions. The online auction site provides detailed inspection reports for many of its listed items, which include a variety of details about the equipment. This allows buyers to gather the same information they would find for themselves as well as details they wouldn't be able to discern on their own, such as laboratory analyses of the oil and other fluids for applicable machinery. IronPlanet provides this information so bidders know what they see is what they get, and there are no surprises when winners receive their goods.

If you're thinking about selling your used construction equipment or agriculture equipment, you may be wondering how to figure out your item's worth. If you auction off your used tractors, mixers and other equipment with IronPlanet, the online auction site can help determine the financial details of your goods.

The U.S. economy has been slowly recovering since the recession that hit in late 2007, and the construction industry has been experiencing the gradual improvements, which has in turn helped local economies across the nation. In fact, the U.S. Labor Department recently announced their March employment data was underestimated by about 386,000 jobs, according to the Los Angeles Times. Nearly 23 percent (85,000) of these jobs were in the construction sector.

The San Francisco 49ers will soon be relocating from Candlestick Park in San Francisco to nearby Santa Clara, once the new stadium is finished, and so far the construction project is right on track. According to local news network KTVU, officials expect the $1.2 billion stadium to be finished in time for the 2014 NFL season.