OAK BROOK, Ill. — Associated Equipment Distributors in August released an all-new research project to define the construction equipment marketplace and capture the buying patterns of today's equipment users. Hundreds of equipment users, distributors and manufacturers were surveyed and the data is included in AED's New Construction Equipment Marketplace Study.

Published last month, the report captures the buying practices and preferences of purchasers of 38 types of equipment in seven product categories: earthmoving equipment, attachments, compaction equipment, lifting equipment, general construction equipment, paving equipment and lawn-and-grounds maintenance equipment.

Equipment buyers were asked if they purchase from any or all of the following channels, what types of equipment they purchase from each and why: independent authorized dealers, rental companies, auctions, brokers, other contractors, web sites and direct from manufacturer. Respondents said that while the majority (90 percent) purchase new equipment from an independent authorized equipment dealer, the second and third most popular sources for equipment purchases were rental companies (22 percent) and auctions (22 percent).