DLL’s Rob van den Heuvel examines Europe’s next investment cycle

Economic uncertainty is changing how European businesses assess investment, while the need to modernise remains, according to Rob van den Heuvel, Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Executive Board, DLL.

Writing in the AFE50 Report 2026, van den Heuvel explores how productivity, resilience and sustainability are influencing equipment purchasing decisions.

His feature, “The next investment cycle: how Europe’s businesses are investing through uncertainty”, considers demand across sectors including construction, industry, technology, healthcare and agriculture.

Labour shortages and operational pressures are encouraging businesses to consider automation and equipment that can deliver measurable improvements. At the same time, investment decisions face closer scrutiny over payback, affordability and their effect on cash flow.

For equipment finance providers, this means becoming involved earlier in the purchasing process. Financing can help customers evaluate and access new technologies while preserving liquidity and flexibility.

Van den Heuvel also examines the economic drivers behind sustainability investment, including energy costs and the operational benefits of more efficient equipment.

His contribution looks ahead to a role for financiers that combines asset expertise, digital simplicity and support for increasingly complex investments.