Atlas Copco sees 70% used equipment growth

Atlas Copco Portable Energy said it had recorded a 70% increase in its portable used equipment business for 2013.

It said the growth was supported by expansion of its Used Equipment Competence Center in Katowice, Poland, together with the establishment of regional representation in the US.

The company said it was now actively developing a trade-in business from rental companies to meet demand for its premium and certified compressors and generators in 2014.

Atlas Copco Portable Energy Used Equipment sales manager Dominic Fancini said that as demand for premium certified compressors and generators continued to grow, the company was looking forward to working with rental companies in 2014.

“Historically, we have had a strong relationship with rental companies as our customers. We look forward to strengthening those relationships on the supply side as well. We want to be their preferred partner for their used equipment.” Fancini said.

Atlas Copco Portable Energy Used Equipment is also working on establishing a branch in Northern Africa in the first quarter of this year.

Significant market

Two years ago, Atlas Copco launched its Used Equipment business, dedicated to selling premium and certified Atlas Copco portable compressors and generators.

The company said the market for used equipment was “significant” and its compressors were of particular interest to customers looking for high-quality used equipment, as well as customers that might otherwise buy a non-premium new compressor.

Atlas Copco said that construction equipment typically had a second and third life. It said before it focused on the used equipment market, almost all used portable machines were sold ‘as is’, including potential issues related to their performance and reliability.

Fancini added, “As a leading manufacturer, we consider it our responsibility to offer sustainable productivity of our equipment as it starts its second and third life. As an added benefit to our customers, we also offer simplified purchase and sales tools in a market historically fragmented between brokers, auctioneers and other third parties.”