The experts at Troostwijk Auctions travel daily across the Netherlands and Belgium to assemble the most attractive auction offerings possible. With their industry knowledge, engagement with both sellers and buyers, and open-minded approach, they ensure that anything surplus to one company becomes a new beginning for another.

The Belgian construction sector is under pressure from rising costs, shrinking margins, and a cooling market. Many entrepreneurs are looking for ways to free up liquidity and keep their businesses future-proof. Pieter Germeys, account manager at Troostwijk Auctions, sees firsthand how companies are reorienting themselves in this challenging market and how online auctions of business assets are helping.

“For many Flemish construction entrepreneurs, 2025 is a difficult year,” Pieter begins. Order books are emptying. This is partly due to changes in renovation and energy subsidies in Flanders that took effect on July 1 this year. “Add to that high interest rates and a shortage of skilled labor, and you understand that restructuring is unavoidable for many companies.”

Margins under pressure 

That’s not all. Energy prices and material costs are high. According to Germeys, margins in the construction sector have become razor-thin. “Some form of recovery is expected, including relief on high costs like energy, but many entrepreneurs cannot afford to wait. Restructuring is therefore inevitable, and in that process, more and more entrepreneurs are turning to online auctions as a strategic tool.”

From emergency solution to strategy 

Due to market developments, auctions have today become a conscious strategic choice. “Entrepreneurs use auctions to free up capital more quickly,” he says. “They sell surplus machines, inventory, or materials to strengthen their balance sheets or invest in more sustainable solutions. This is no longer a last-resort measure but a deliberate business decision.”

The assets sold range from construction materials such as insulation boards and heating pipes to small and large tools, including larger woodworking machines.

Figures confirm the trend 

Troostwijk Auctions’ internal figures for the construction sector speak volumes. In the first nine months of 2025, the number of lots sold in this sector rose by 9.5 percent compared to last year. The number of bids increased even more sharply, by 85.9 percent, indicating a rapidly growing demand.

“Furthermore, we see that the number of voluntary auctions in this sector has increased by 21.9 percent,” adds Germeys. “This means that entrepreneurs are taking the initiative themselves, not because they have to, but because they want to anticipate the market intelligently.”

The average lot value has also risen sharply, almost doubling to €1,113. “Where we previously mostly saw small tools, now high-quality machines are being auctioned as well. That says a lot about how mature the construction sector has become.”

Liquidity as a driver, sustainability as a bonus 

According to Germeys, liquidity pressure is the main reason behind this trend. “Construction companies need to remain flexible,” he says. “Sometimes that means not only selling machines but also inventory such as insulation boards, heating pipes, or radiators. Thanks to broad international interest, these lots are often sold quickly, sometimes even to organizations as far away as North Africa.”

Besides financial motives, sustainability also plays a role. “By giving machines a second life, entrepreneurs extend the lifespan of their assets and reduce their ecological footprint,” he explains. “This fits perfectly within the circular economy. It’s both financially attractive and socially responsible.”