Global Momentum: Blackhawk at Bauma, Brisbane, and Diesel Dirt & Turf 2025
At Blackhawk.io, our mission is simple: to help equipment manufacturers, dealers, and fleet operators unlock the full value of their physical assets—through data, intelligence, and technology.
In recent months, we’ve taken this mission on the road attending three of the industry’s most important heavy machinery events: Bauma (Munich), the Heavy Equipment & Machinery Show (Brisbane), and Diesel Dirt & Turf (Sydney). These shows have been more than just networking opportunities. They’ve been a window into the future of machinery, showcasing the challenges and opportunities facing OEMs, dealers, and fleet operators worldwide. Here’s what we learned, who we connected with, and why it matters.
Bauma – Where Global Construction Technology Converges
Representing Blackhawk.io at Bauma 2025 in Munich was our VP of EMEA, James Oliver, who also met with our long-standing partners from Youngman Richardson, including Ed Richardson and Phil Fairfield.
Bauma once again proved why it’s the world’s leading trade fair for construction equipment and industrial machinery. Key insights included:
- A sharp global shift toward connected equipment and OEM-led service offerings
- Increasing emphasis on compliance, safety and zero downtime as core design goals
- Recognition of telematics as a foundational layer in delivering lifecycle value and performance benchmarking
Our conversations confirmed that manufacturers and equipment owners alike are seeking not just data—but insight and automation to improve service efficiency, uptime, and customer engagement.
Brisbane – Supporting Partner Innovation at the Heavy Machinery & Equipment Show
In May, Danny Hughes (International Sales Manager) and Adrian Duigan (Head of Product Marketing) represented Blackhawk.io at the Heavy Machinery & Equipment Show held alongside the Brisbane Truck Show.
This event marked a significant milestone for our partner KOR Equipment, who launched their new connected support platform, KOR Connect, powered by Blackhawk technology. We were proud to support KOR’s vision to enhance product support, optimise aftersales service, and strengthen relationships with their customers through real-time machine intelligence.
We also had the opportunity to meet with a wide range of OEMs, equipment dealers, and specialist coupler and attachment manufacturers—many of whom are actively exploring IoT and SaaS solutions to differentiate their service models and improve operational efficiency.
Diesel, Dirt & Turf – Innovation on Display in Sydney
Shortly after Brisbane, Danny and Adrian also attended the Diesel, Dirt & Turf Expo in Sydney—Australia’s largest construction machinery event.
This year’s expo was packed with energy, new product showcases, and even a bit of fun (like mini-golf played with a digger). But beneath the surface, a serious trend emerged: The most resilient businesses in today’s economic environment are those using technology to drive smarter service, improved uptime, and stronger customer relationships.
We met dozens of businesses using or exploring connected fleet platforms—ranging from regional earthmoving contractors to national dealerships—demonstrating a growing appetite for smart asset tracking, proactive maintenance, digital service management, and more.
A Clear Signal: Lifecycle Intelligence is the Future
Across all three shows, the message was clear: technology isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have for businesses aiming to thrive in an increasingly competitive and compliance-driven landscape.
Blackhawk.io remains committed to building scalable, white-label platforms that allow our partners to launch their own branded services, improve aftersales support, and create better customer experiences.
As we expand further into Australia, Europe, and the Americas, we’re bringing with us a deep understanding of what works—and what’s next—for global equipment businesses.
