The Biggest Construction Equipment Show in the World: bauma 2025 Attracts 600,000+ to Germany, Including Us

Our Take on the World’s Biggest Construction Equipment Show — and Why It Matters to You

Every three years, the global construction industry descends on Munich, Germany, for bauma — and in April 2025, the world showed up in force. With over 600,000 visitors from more than 200 countries and 3,601 exhibitors from 57 nations, bauma 2025 once again proved why it’s one of the most important shows in construction. The Compact Equipment team was there for three action-packed days. We walked miles, shot hours of video, interviewed industry leaders and dug deep into the future of earthmoving equipment. Here’s what stood out.

Big Picture: Themes That Mattered

Sustainability. Electrification. Autonomy. These weren’t just buzzwords at bauma — they were everywhere.

• Alternative Power: Electric, hydrogen, even HVO — OEMs are pushing hard toward low-emissions solutions. We saw great alt propulsion products from Hatz, Perkins, Hyundai, Manitou, Caterpillar and beyond. We’ll be compiling a story on it.
• Digital Tools: From grade control to jobsite automation, tech is transforming how we work. Cool highlights ranged from that new Leica Geosystems machine control factory kit for LiuGong excavators to Liebherr’s Autonomous Operations. Using the latter system, the repetitive and monotonous tasks of a wheel loader can be undertaken simply and intuitively without a driver.
• Modular Thinking: From swappable power units to adaptable attachments, flexibility is key in today’s construction machinery. Manitou’s track loader cable construction attachment and Moog’s swappable electric and diesel power modules come to mind.
• Future-Proofing: Machines are being designed for tomorrow’s challenges — from labor shortages to emissions regs. I will point you to Skyjack’s upcoming hybrid rough terrain boom range, which work both indoors and outdoors These new machines offer three modes of operation (electric, automatic and manual).

From the press release:

Wolfgang Sochor, CEO of HAWE Hydraulik, likewise sees clear technological trends confirmed: “bauma 2025 has impressively demonstrated that trends such as CO₂ reduction and alternative drives have established themselves in the industry.” Steffen Günther, a member of the Board of Directors of Liebherr-International AG, adds: “At bauma, we showcased a number of important future topics, such as drive technology and autonomy. For us, bauma is much more than just a trade fair—it is the platform where the future of the industry is made tangible. My personal highlight was our bauma motto ‘Hands on the future’. For us, this is not just a phrase, but an attitude; one that was also well received by our customers.”

10 Great bauma Booths for Compact Equipment

When it comes to compact equipment, these 10 booths rose above the rest for new machines and unique innovation. Read our full story here.

1. Caterpillar: Celebrating 100 years, Cat showed off 48 machines including the electric 301.9 mini excavator and advanced CTLs like the 285 XE.
2. Manitou: Debuted a rail-focused cable track loader and a hydrogen-powered telehandler prototype.
3. Mecalac: Introduced the Revo990 backhoe with a rotating cab and the eS900tele electric loader.
4. LiuGong: Rolled out tons of electric machines and its new T-Series wheel loaders.
5. Tobroco-Giant: Featured the G2700E X-TRA HD electric loader and a compact dumper prototype.
6. Zquip: Showed its modular power solution — swappable diesel and battery packs for compact machines.
7. Hyundai: Impressed with the HX19e mini excavator and hydrogen-powered HW155H concept machine.
8. Steelwrist: Launched the SQ40 automatic coupler for mini excavators.
9. iDig: Demonstrated low-cost, solar-powered 2D/3D excavator guidance systems.
10. Case: Showcased AI-assisted driver systems and teased zero-emissions models.

Video Content Coming Soon

Our bauma coverage is just getting started. We took a ton of video, so expect Machine Heads spotlights on:

• Hyundai’s HX19e Mini Excavator and New Skid Steer and CTLs: A quick dive into what’s coming next from Hyundai — a company that’s increasingly focused on compact equipment and alt propulsion.
• Moog’s Zquip’s Modular Power System: Swap out a diesel module for an electric battery in minutes. Flexibility that’s ideal for mixed jobsite conditions.
• Best of bauma 2025: A highlight reel of the most eye-popping, groundbreaking and downright cool compact equipment and amazing booths at the show.

Why bauma Still Matters

bauma isn’t just a product launch pad. It’s a glimpse at the future of the industry. In 2025, the show underscored the rapid changes coming to the compact equipment space — and made it clear that manufacturers are investing in smarter, cleaner and more capable machines. If you’re serious about the future of compact construction, put bauma 2028 on your calendar now. Until then, stay tuned to Compact Equipment for ongoing coverage, videos and analysis of the biggest construction equipment event on earth.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.