Belgian construction companies are restructuring en masse

Entrepreneurs seek liquidity and efficiency in a challenging market

The Belgian construction sector is under heavy pressure. In recent years, material costs have risen sharply, interest rates remain high, and energy bills have long weighed on margins. Although the recent budget agreement indicates that energy prices may normalize somewhat in 2026, total costs for construction companies remain exceptionally high. On top of that, several renovation grants and subsidies have been scaled back, causing investment in renovation projects to decline.

According to construction federation Embuild, the sector is therefore in a state of structural stagnation that will last until at least 2026. Many contractors and construction companies see their order books slowly shrinking and are forced to restructure their operations or even shut down. This picture is confirmed by figures from Troostwijk Auctions: in the first nine months of 2025, 9.5% more lots were offered in the construction sector compared to the same period last year.

Margins under pressure, staff remains scarce
The pressure on margins is not only caused by rising costs. The persistent tightness in the labor market means that finding and keeping well-trained professionals remains a challenge. As a result, entrepreneurs are increasingly faced with a difficult choice: downsizing, temporarily halting operations, or investing in automation. Something not everyone can afford in the current economic context.

“2025 is a difficult year for many construction entrepreneurs,” says Pieter Germeys, account manager at Troostwijk Auctions. “They are confronted with rising costs and declining orders. A form of recovery is expected, including regarding high costs such as energy prices, but many entrepreneurs cannot wait for that. Restructuring then becomes unavoidable, and in that process, online auctions are increasingly used as a strategic instrument.”

Sector federation Embuild also confirms that the situation has been particularly challenging for quite some time.

"Since 2022 the construction and installation sector has stopped progressing. This will not change in 2025, as shown by Embuild’s economic outlook. We are dealing with a long period of stagnation. In other words, it is hard work for little result. Several factors play a role: the rising prices of construction materials and the increase in interest rates (even though interest has been stable again for a year) have led to higher construction costs, while the permitting process is becoming more complex and sustainability standards stricter. Unfortunately, no improvement is expected for 2026,” says Niko Demeester, CEO of construction federation Embuild.

Investing in new machines
Werner De Lie, purchaser at a company active in telecom infrastructure, sees the same evolution. “In our niche, changes in government plans are forcing various telecom operators to work together more closely. As a result, a sudden joint surplus of equipment emerged.” He consciously chose an online auction. “Interest was high, as shown by the many bids. We are now investing the released capital in machines that better match the changing market conditions.”

Figures show growth in auctions
Auctioning is now a deliberate strategic choice for many companies. They use online platforms to free up capital, renew their machinery fleet or sell surplus inventory.

Figures from Troostwijk Auctions confirm the trend. In the first nine months of 2025, the number of lots sold in the construction sector increased by 9.5% compared to the same period in 2024. The number of bids even rose by 85.9%, indicating both a growing supply and a significantly rising interest from the market. The share of voluntary auctions also increased by 21.9%. More and more entrepreneurs choose to sell assets voluntarily. Not because they have to, but because they want to move forward and adapt to changing circumstances.

Auctioning of high-quality machines is increasing
Not only the number of lots is rising, but also their value. The average lot value nearly doubled to 1.113 euros.

“Where smaller tools used to be offered more frequently, we are now seeing high-quality machines more often,” says Germeys. “This shows that online auctioning has become a mature part of many companies’ strategies.”

The need for liquidity remains an important factor. Companies are not only selling heavy machinery but also inventory such as insulation panels, heating pipes, radiators, and small materials. Thanks to international interest, these lots are often sold quickly.

Sustainability and efficiency as leverage
The Belgian construction market is in a period of reorientation. Fewer subsidies, persistent wage and financing costs, and a cautious investment climate are forcing entrepreneurs to be creative. Those who adjust their operations in time and cleverly use digital platforms such as online auctions can better protect themselves against uncertainty.

“The sector is clearly in transition,” Germeys concludes. “By giving machines a second life, entrepreneurs not only create financial breathing space but also contribute to a circular economy. Belgian machines easily find their way to regions such as North Africa and Eastern Europe, where budgets are smaller and second-hand equipment is highly sought after. Parts from older models also remain popular for maintenance. This extends the lifespan of existing machines and reduces the environmental impact of new production. In a period when every euro counts, this proves that efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.”

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