VMAC’s 2026 compressed air industry report shows improved business confidence

VMAC’s 2026 State of the Mobile Compressed Air Industry Report provides fleet managers, equipment operators, service truck upfitters, and business leaders with new data on fleet composition, mobile air compressor preferences, tool usage, emerging technologies, and the economic factors shaping the industry.

The annual report draws on responses from professionals across North America, including owners, general managers, operators, mechanics, fleet managers, equipment repair specialists, construction professionals, transportation companies, agricultural businesses, utilities, municipalities, and service truck upfitters.

How the industry evolved over the past year 

The 2026 findings reflect an industry that remains practical, resilient, and focused on measured growth. Although economic conditions have become the leading business concern, 90 percent of respondents expect conditions to remain stable or improve during the next 12 months, compared to 82 percent in 2025.

“The industry continues to prioritize uptime and productivity above all else,” said Mike Pettigrew, VMAC marketing manager. “Fleet operators are carefully evaluating every piece of equipment on a truck based on reliability, weight, efficiency, and long-term operating costs. The 2026 findings show that operators are increasingly choosing integrated rotary screw compressed air systems that help maximize productivity while reducing downtime.”

The report indicates that service vehicles continue to play a central role in mobile operations, with more than 76 percent of respondents operating service trucks or vans. 

Key findings from the 2026 report include:

• More than 73 percent of air compressor users prefer rotary screw technology over reciprocating compressors.
• More than 78 percent of respondents require less than 100 CFM for their service vehicle applications.
• 35.2 percent identified the air compressor as the single most important piece of equipment on their service vehicle.
• 45.8 percent have air compressors installed on every service truck in their fleet.
• Approximately 86 percent use pneumatic impact wrenches, followed by ratchets, grinders, and percussive tools. 

Compressed air remains foundational to service vehicle productivity. Respondents continue to rely on air compressors for tire service, equipment repair, construction, transportation, agriculture, utilities, and other applications where sustained airflow and dependable tool performance are required.

The 2026 State of the Mobile Compressed Air Industry Report is designed to help fleet operators, manufacturers, upfitters, and equipment suppliers compare their operations with industry peers and better understand the technologies, purchasing priorities, and business pressures influencing the mobile compressed air market.