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Frontline Machinery has acquired Chieftain Equipment and its aggregate processing equipment lineup.

Founded in 1991, Chieftain Equipment is an aggregate equipment dealer based in Edmonton, Alberta, representing the Astec Group of Companies (static and mobile crushing, screening, material handling, washing, and classifying product lines), Sandvik (mobile crushing and screening product lines),

Vale Industries, and more.

Consistent with Frontline’s expansion and service strategy, this strategic acquisition increases Frontline Machinery’s infrastructure and personnel, allowing for continued growth in the province of Alberta and the ability to serve existing Frontline customers in these regions better.

“Over its existence of over 30 years, Chieftain Equipment has developed a deep heritage and strong market share in the aggregate industry,” says Daryl Todd, president of Frontline

Machinery. “Their highly experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated team has supported their growth, helping build a reputation of trust and transparency. Together we are well-positioned to expand and look forward to delivering a consistent, high-quality customer experience.”

By combining and leveraging Frontline’s and Chieftain’s strengths, abilities, and relationships, Frontline Machinery expects to drive aggressive growth. The company plans to ramp up regional operational and service capabilities through a significant increase in parts, service department capacities, and the equipment rental and sales fleet. At the same time, they will add additional resources and investments where necessary.

“We are excited to become a part of the Frontline family,” says Willie Thompson of Chieftain Equipment. “They understand the needs of our customers and share a common vision and mindset. We are confident that Frontline will continue to enhance and develop what we have built over the last three decades while supporting the uptime and productivity of existing

Chieftain customers.”

With its August Market Trends Report, Ritchie Bros. focuses on large and small excavator sales in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., median prices for large excavators are down nine percent year over year, while mini excavator prices declined five percent in the last 90 days. In Canada, it is quite a different story with large excavator prices up 12 percent year over year, while mini excavator prices over the previous 90 days increased 31 percent.

After the main feature on excavators, the report turns to Ritchie Bros.’ individual mix-adjusted industry indexes, which are still up over 2021, but declining on a month-to-month basis since the peak pricing achieved earlier this year. In the U.S., truck tractor pricing still leads the way, up 27 percent year over year, while vocational trucks, medium, and large earthmoving prices are up 18 percent, 15 percent, and 12 percent respectively. Meanwhile, in Canada, truck tractor pricing is up 25 percent, while vocational trucks, medium, and large earthmoving come in at +10 percent, +13 percent, and +12 percent.

“We continue to experience year-over-year price inflation for equipment and trucks in the U.S. and Canada,” says Doug Olive, senior vice president of pricing at Ritchie Bros. “However, as the transportation and logistics markets normalize, we have seen truck prices decline. We are seeing similar pricing trends across our other industry indexes as well, with year-over-year increases, but declining on a month-to-month basis.”

“Tight supply continues to be the story in the retail market, with lower-than-typical sales volumes driving strong pricing and retail values increasing two percent in July,” adds Doug Rusch, managing director of Rouse Sales. “Excavators in particular have shown strong pricing, with retail values rising four to five percent in the past 90 days across all sizes classes. Auction values for excavators have moderated a bit since June 2022. Since then, we have seen smaller class mini excavator prices decline six to seven percent at auction, while larger excavators have declined two percent.”

The Brandt Group of Companies will be opening a new utility trailer manufacturing facility in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, with production expected to commence in the late summer of 2022. The company plans to create up to 200 positions over the next three years. The move is being made to free up space at Brandt’s North Regina Works campus to expand production for other product lines currently being built in the company’s Regina facilities. The company has long-term plans for additional expansion and more equipment purchases as the plant is outfitted to produce utility trailers for North America.

Turn to page 18 to learn about the innovations and equipment that will debut at bauma this fall.

Lafarge Canada has acquired Mathers’ St-Eustache quarry and asphalt operations in Quebec. The investment will further complement Lafarge’s aggregates network and reinforce the company’s position as a solutions provider in the region. The deal reiterates the company’s 2025 strategy to expand its aggregates business through acquisitions of pits, quarries, docks, and depots in high-growth markets.

Cooper Equipment Rentals has completed a transaction to purchase 100 percent of the shares of One Stop Rentals/Sales Ltd. based out of Airdrie, Alberta. Established in 2013, One Stop is an equipment rental company serving Southern Alberta, Calgary, Strathmore, Cochrane, Chestermere, and Olds. The company offers late-model equipment that is supported by an experienced team of approximately 25 rental professionals. This latest acquisition extends Cooper Equipment Rentals’ coverage of the greater Calgary area.

Registration has opened for CONEXPO-CON/AGG and the International Fluid Power Exposition, running March 14–18, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show hosts more than 1,800 exhibitors across over 2.7 million square feet. When attendees register, they can set up badges, education selections, and hotel accommodations in one place.

Tornado Global Hydrovacs has entered into a product supply and development agreement for the co-development of customized hydrovac trucks with Ditch Witch. The contract requires Tornado to co-develop a customized Ditch Witch branded hydrovac truck and supply the hydrovac trucks to Ditch Witch starting in 2022 and ending in 2025.

John Deere and Ford will work together to create a sustainable concept Gator made out of recycled materials. The Gator will turn materials commonly seen as waste into a viable machine. The collaboration will examine ways of taking waste streams and turning the materials into machine components.

GreatWest Kenworth recently opened a new parts and service dealership in Balzac, Alberta, to support fleets and truck operators serving the greater Calgary and Airdrie markets. The 32,000-square-foot dealership features 10 service bays and a nearly 2,300-square-foot parts display area supported by an 8,000-square-foot storage space.