The strength is in the numbers

The industrials market is starting a new chapter. and the numbers are telling the story.

Projects across the Americas are up 23% over the past 12 months. According to Datasite platform activity, activity in the first half of 2026 increased nearly 30% year over year.

These are eye-catching numbers worth paying attention to.

Three factors are driving this market growth: stronger buyer activity, expansion across regions and subsectors, and faster deal launches.

Aligned buying and selling activities

On the sell side, company sales still account for nearly 42% of activity. That is typical of this seller-driven market.

However, we are now seeing a clear increase in buyer activity.

Private equity follows investment banking as the second-fastest-growing buyer segment. Activity has increased by more than 40% over the past 12 months, with strong growth in:

• New platform investments
• Add-on acquisitions
• Fundraising activity

These trends signal an important shift in how sponsors set priorities. They are increasingly evaluating opportunities as they emerge and preparing to act when the right assets become available.

Accelerating growth across regions and subsectors

Industrials activity is expanding rapidly across geographies and subsectors, including:

• Manufacturing
• Automotive
• Building products

Although the southern U.S. remains the largest region by volume, accounting for 30% of activity, the Midwest is growing faster. The region now:

• Accounts for 25% of activity, following a 35% year-over-year increase
• Generates more than 40% of automotive and advanced manufacturing activity, led by Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan

That is a notable achievement for the country’s industrial heartland.

Momentum also extends beyond the U.S. Canada and Brazil are currently growing at a faster pace.

For dealmakers, this means monitoring markets across the Americas. Faster growth is creating more opportunities to identify targets and close deals.

Deal teams are launching faster

The time from project creation to data room launch is decreasing. Among launched projects, the average has dropped from 21 days to 11 days.

That is a strong trend, and it points to two important changes:

• A busier and more competitive market
• A shift in deal teams’ launch strategies

In a competitive market, deal teams must launch faster and work smarter. They are planning timelines earlier, building more agile workflows, and minimizing delays to gain an advantage.

Looking ahead

The industrials market has entered a new phase. Buyers who continue to act quickly when the right assets become available can gain a competitive edge. Different sectors in the market across the Americas will continue to build and hold their momentum, sparking a new chapter for industrials.

For more insights and information, watch the full industrials sector spotlight video and stay up to date with the market with our Sector Spotlight series.