Conditions are challenging, but hauling manufacturers say markets such as the UK, Africa and Italy offer major opportunities going forward.
Articulated dump truck (ADT) manufacturer Rokbak has said that demand for its articulated haulers remained strong in 2025 despite the challenging market conditions seen in the construction equipment industry.
The Scotland-based company celebrated milestones, new dealers and lots of Rokbak trucks out working for customers on demanding job sites around the world. Rokbak has said the total global articulated hauler market was expected to close at over 9000 units for 2025, which is down on the previous year when 10,300 trucks were sold across all brands. Some markets have declined, such as North America, which is by far the biggest market for articulated haulers, while others, such as the UK, Africa and Italy, increased. Despite the global reduction, 2025 was still a good year for Rokbak with customers choosing the company’s ADTs for their reliability, durability and low fuel consumption.
There were sizable orders – such as 25 RA30s sold to an infrastructure contractor in the US – and expansion into new markets thanks to new dealer partnerships. During 2025, Rokbak continued to strengthen its European dealer network in line with its expansion plans.
Rokbak partnered with DIR International Trading in Spain and Portugal and Idromac in Italy, where demand for ADTs has risen steadily since 2021, increasing by around 10 per cent annually. The expectation for Italy was that, by the end of 2025, more than 100 units across all brands would have been sold nationwide.
Rokbak said the appointment of Idromac as its official dealer in Italy means it is ready to meet rising ADT demand across the country with proven, dependable articulated haulers and strong aftersales support.
Idromac previously toured Rokbak’s Motherwell factory in preparation for the heavy equipment dealer to bring Rokbak articulated haulers to its Italian customers.
Idromac chief executive officer and founder Francesco Casillo recognised that Italy’s changing job site requirements created a clear need to introduce a premium articulated hauler brand to its offering.
The company has long specialised in heavy equipment, and adding proven ADTs to its portfolio represented a natural step.
“Construction transport in Italy is changing rapidly,” Casillo said.
“Dump trucks are no longer confined to quarries, they are playing a decisive role in roadwork and earthmoving operations across the country.
“To keep pace with this market evolution, we needed a proven, reliable articulated hauler brand that aligned with our values and ambitions. Rokbak matched our vision perfectly.”
In the US, similar comments were made about three RA30s working on a residential development where the trucks were praised for their reliability, low fuel consumption and uptime.
Another highlight in 2025 for Rokbak in Europe was the expansion of its dealer in Northern Ireland, Sleator Plant, which now covers the entire Irish market with the establishment of a specially designed €1.2m depot in north Dublin, built to enhance accessibility and support for customers throughout Ireland.
While at a quarry in Northern Ireland, an RA30 has been called out for its efficiency and productivity, helping to support continued business success.
“As quarry manager, I know first-hand that you have to get the right plant for the job,” Loughran Rock quarry manager Colin Loughran said. “You want something reliable – the less downtime the better. The RA30 has been nothing but reliable, with minimal maintenance requirements and prompt support from the dealer, Sleator Plant, when needed.”
In 2025, Rokbak marked 75 years of manufacturing at its Motherwell facility. The company also recently won the Made in Scotland award for its outstanding contribution to manufacturing. From this, Rokbak was shortlisted for the Made in Britain awards.
A slightly different application that showcases the versatility of the Rokbak RA30 and RA40 is the Hydex adaptation of the ADTs into high-capacity water trucks to meet the growing demand for dust suppression across North America. The venture between Hydex and Rokbak dealer Hills Machinery sees the trucks upfitted with high-performance water tanks for deployment across quarries, mines and infrastructure projects under the Hydex banner.
“This is about using a proven platform to meet a pressing and growing need,” Rokbak director of sales for the Americas Robert Franklin said.
“The RA30 and RA40 give contractors the power, manoeuvrability and durability they need in a base machine – and now, with this adaptation, we’re showing just how far that platform can go.”
Other highlights from Rokbak’s year included meeting customers and dealers at shows, where visitors could see the trucks up close and talk to the Rokbak team.
At Nigeria Mining Week, Rokbak and its West Africa dealer HMD presented the RA40, which attracted substantial interest. The Scottish-made haulers are fast proving to be popular in the African mining, quarrying and infrastructure sectors thanks to the trucks’ reliability and durability. Earlier in 2025, Rokbak and HMD also met with customers at Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa.
“We see a lot of opportunities in West Africa with the mining, quarrying and construction industries performing well,” Rokbak global sales director Guy Wilson said.
“It has been a strong market for us this year, and we expect to see this continue next year.”
The RA30 was also at Le Dig Tour in Lyon, highlighting Rokbak’s ongoing commitment to the French market, and the Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland’s largest agricultural and machinery event.
One of the first events in Rokbak’s calendar for 2026 is AED in the US, where the company will meet with its North American dealers and potential new dealer partners.
