There likely won’t be many in the construction materials industry who will be sad to turn the calendar from 2025 to 2026.
While the year was largely successful for the industry, the challenges it brought took their toll. Looking to the new year, companies are hopeful for more clarity on tariffs and other legislation, lowering inflation and materials costs, and a shored-up supply chain, among other positive developments.
Additionally, 2026 brings with it another iteration of ConExpo-Con/Agg and the latest equipment and technology developments. The triennial Las Vegas show will undoubtedly serve as a benchmark for the industry until the next show in 2029, as it has before.
Ahead of the new year, here’s what producers, manufacturers and others are expecting in 2026.
Residential construction has been spotty, if not down, across the board. We’re fortunate in the places we operate that there is, generally speaking, a lot of infrastructure investment.
We’re cautiously optimistic [about 2026], I think that’s what everybody is saying these days. We’re in the budgeting phase for 2026 right now and on the sales side, everything is still strong. We’re excited to attack it.
– Chris Williams, Capital Aggregates
We saw some softness into ‘24 and early ‘25, as well as some of the new administration’s policies and goals, and some of that uncertainty softened the market for a bit. Now, we’re starting to get an understanding of where things are going in the next six, 12, 24 months. We expect to see some continued growth and, maybe, a rosier outlook for the next year or two.
– Daniel Friedman, Eagle Crusher
Our third quarter results demonstrate solid progress toward our 2027 financial targets. Our CAP reached $6.3 billion, which is a new record, with a number of projects ramping up in the third quarter that should accelerate growth in the fourth quarter and into 2026.
Robust public and private markets, disciplined project selection and execution, and strategic M&A opportunities position Granite to finish 2025 strong and achieve top- and bottom-line growth in 2026 in line with our financial targets.
– Kyle Larkin, Granite Construction
Martin Marietta’s foundation for growth is more compelling than ever. Our aggregates-led platform, strengthened by a high-performing, complementary specialties business and portfolio optimization efforts undertaken during SOAR 2025, provides durable earnings power and strategic flexibility.
With an attractive geographic footprint, a clear trajectory for continued growth rooted in operational excellence and disciplined execution of a proven strategy, we remain confident in our ability to deliver industry-leading performance and generate enduring shareholder value.
– Ward Nye, Martin Marietta
We’re looking forward to 2026. We’re projecting another increase in overall sales. I’ll say the same thing I said about 2025: [2026] is going to be a killer year.
We’re coming into the year with a nice backlog; we need it to be a little bit better. We have some gaps we need to fill in our backlog schedule, but at the end of the day, it’s all going to come together. It always does. We’re not in any way, shape or form concerned that we’re not going to fill that backlog. We have good dealers. We want the A-team to be our partners and I believe that’s who we have with our dealers.
There are a lot of big projects in the works. I think we’re going to see a lot more dam projects because of the water shortage and the growth in the West. You look at Hoover Dam and Lake Mead and how low that is, that can’t sustain. Somehow, they have to get more dams built to retain that water.
– Kirby Cline, Masaba
Our backlog is strong. Through Q1, [2026 is] phenomenal. There are a lot of quotes out there, a lot of projects and a lot of decisions that need to be made by producers. If even a fraction of that quoting activity turns into real sales, I think we’re going to have a great year. On the bids we don’t win, obviously, somebody else is getting them so that speaks volumes about where the industry is.
– Mike Krajewski, Masaba
There has been a lot of collaboration between all associations. The next Surface Transportation Reauthorization is due in 2026, so there is a lot of work that has to be done to make sure that passes next year.
– Jen Dugas, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
Since COVID, business has been really strong. I think COVID really catapulted people into the online process, where they used to go to an auction yard and do things in person. Now, we’re able to reach so many more people. It has been a great growth pattern for us over these past four years or so. We’re culminating that growth by making our debut at ConExpo-Con/Agg in 2026. It’s really exciting.
– Kerri Green, Purple Wave
I hope funding continues to roll out for highways, homebuilding, airports and other infrastructure. AI is going to need big facilities, and I think that’s going to serve our industry very well. I don’t see anything but good stuff for our industry.
– Bob Meyers, US Equipment Sales & Rentals
As we look to 2026, I’m encouraged about the demand backdrop in our markets. We expect continued strength in public construction activity and an improving private nonresidential outlook, a combination that should also benefit an already healthy pricing environment.
Additionally, I’m excited about our talented teams that will continue to execute on our proven two-pronged, durable growth strategy under Ronnie [Pruitt]’s leadership. Ronnie is the ideal person to lead Vulcan’s future growth and innovation.
– Tom Hill, Vulcan Materials
Vulcan is well-positioned with an irreplaceable asset base and outstanding talent. Our strategic disciplines on both the commercial and operational sides of our business continue to gain traction and sustain improvements.
These competitive advantages, coupled with modest growth in shipments and mid-single-digit growth in pricing, will help drive another year of earnings growth in 2026 and expansion in aggregates cash gross profit per ton that continues to exceed historical averages.
– Ronnie Pruitt, Vulcan Materials
There are always challenges, but those challenges present opportunities. If you look at challenges as opportunities, you can really change the conversation and see how you can succeed in the current environment.
The most important thing for us is staying close to our customer base and making sure that we’re taking care of their needs, looking after the state of the industry and ensuring we stay involved in the associations, and continuing to move forward aggregates and aggregate production in general.
The other exciting part of the industry is the recycling side. When we get into what we consider the urban quarry, we can utilize all the aggregates already in our infrastructure. Between virgin materials, recycling and the opportunity to continue improving our infrastructure, I think the outlook is, overall, bright.
– Matt Graves, Wirtgen Group
Related: Construction materials industry: Leaders’ insights and outlook on 2025