Plate Compactors, also known as plate vibrators, are used to compact soils, base materials, sand beddings and pavers, to promote interlocking.
One key piece of equipment for almost all jobs is a plate compactor There are three main categories of plate compactors: a single plate, reversible plate and heavy-duty compactors, mostly used for soil and asphalt compaction. The most popular are reversible plate compactors because they can go in both directions (forward/backward).
This product information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.
Exports: Up to 30% worldwide.
Market Share: Leading the Plate Compactors market in North America is M-B-W with 52% of total units produced. In second position is Canadian-based Bartell Morrison with 35%; third, is Vibco with 5.5%.
Trends. In 2023, production of Plate Compactors in NA decreased 28.4%. Production is expected to remain flat with a slight decrease of 1% in 2024. The decline is mostly due to Exmark (Toro) discontinuing their line of forward plate compactors along with other company models being discontinued. The market hasn’t recovered from 2020 Covid-19 related factors. Even though there is a desire for new equipment, the constantly fluctuating construction market hinders demand.
Expect the production of Plate Compactors in NA to increase up to 10% by 2030. PSR
Electrification of this segment has continued at a modest pace in recent years. The leading companies in electric products are Packer and Vibco.
Battery/Corded Combined
2022: 25
2023: 26 4% increase
2024: 32 23% increase
Battery only:
2022: 1
2023: 1 Remained flat no change
2024: 2 100% increase 1 to 2 units
Corded only:
2022: 24
2023: 27 12.5% increase
2024: 30 11% increase
Carol Turner is Senior Analyst, Global Operations, at Power Systems Research
