Huddig looking for more North American dealers after Terex deal

Swedish equipment manufacturer Huddig is looking to expand its dealer network in North America following a new distribution agreement with Terex Services, according to the president of the company’s US arm.

Speaking at a press event during ConExpo in Las Vegas earlier this month, Paul Barlow, president of Huddig Inc, said the company is seeking additional distributors to complement Terex’s focus on large utility customers.

Huddig established its North American subsidiary, Huddig Inc, in 2025 as part of a broader push to expand in the region.

“We’ve recently signed a deal with Terex Utilities. So they are now a partnering distributor for the Huddig machine in North America,” Barlow said. “We’re looking for more dealers because Terex is really looking at the utility business and going after the big guys. So we’re looking to try and fill some of this territory in with smaller distributors if we can.”

Under the agreement, Terex Services will support the sales and service of Huddig machines across the United States through its network of service centres and field technicians, giving the Swedish manufacturer access to a nationwide support infrastructure.

The company also works with several other specialist distributors in the US, including rail-focused dealer Vancer and equipment dealers in Colorado, Tennessee and California.

Specialist multi-purpose machines

Huddig produces a distinctive category of articulated loader–excavators designed primarily for utility, rail and construction work in off-highway environments.

The Huddig 1370T (Tigon) is a hybrid machine that drives the company’s future product development. Its counterpart, the 1370 is a conventional diesel using a Cummins 6.7-litre turbocharged engine that can run on HVO.

The machines combine an excavator arm with a loader and are designed to run a wide range of high-power hydraulic attachments. Barlow said the platform’s high hydraulic flow and multi-function capability allow it to carry out tasks typically requiring multiple pieces of equipment.

“The principle is one machine, one operator, change the attachments,” he said. “You’ve only then got one maintenance cost, one insurance cost, one liability cost.”

Attachments can include tools such as tiltrotators, rock drills, augers, sweepers and brush cutters, while some utility variants incorporate integrated elevated work platforms or cranes mounted on the same chassis.

The Huddig 1370T and 1370 Backhoe loaders. (Image: Huddig)

The machines are built at Huddig’s manufacturing facility in Sweden and are typically configured to order rather than sold from dealer inventory. The privately owned company generates around US$55 million in annual sales, employs roughly 115 people and produces about 120 machines per year.

Because of their versatility, the machines are often used in specialist applications such as construction in confined spaces, utility work in hard-to-reach areas, or railway maintenance applications. The fact that the machine runs on wheels (although Huddig is at pains to stress that it is not a backhoe loader) means that it doesn’t necessarily have to be transported itself and can access areas where transporting multiple machines can be difficult.

Tariff challenge

Barlow acknowledged that tariffs affecting imported equipment have created additional challenges for the company as it seeks to grow its presence in the US market.

He said tariffs currently add roughly 15% to 17% to the price of a Huddig machine imported from Sweden, increasing the cost to buyers.

“It is a challenge, without a shadow of a doubt,” he said. “The tariff doesn’t help because it just inflates our price just that little bit more.”

However, Barlow said the company believes the machine’s ability to carry out multiple tasks with a single operator can still make it attractive to contractors despite the higher upfront cost.

“If you see the value in the machine, you’ll overcome that,” he said.