Ritchie Bros., Europe’s largest auctioneer, headquartered in Breda, the Netherlands, is concluding a record-breaking 2024 by celebrating the success of its Finish Strong, Start Stronger campaign.
This year-end initiative was designed to help equipment owners optimise their strategies and maximise the value of their assets while offering buyers access to high-quality equipment across a wide range of industries. Showcasing Ritchie Bros.’ unparalleled sales solutions and extensive international reach, the campaign delivered record-breaking participation and significant equipment sales through 11 unreserved auctions in key markets worldwide.
End-of-Year International campaign results at a glance
– Volume of sales: Over 19,000 equipment lots sold across diverse industries, including construction, agriculture, transportation, and mining, marking a 25% year-over-year growth.
– Global participation: The campaign attracted more than 22,700 registrants across auctions in Europe, the UAE, and APAC region, underscoring Ritchie Bros.’ international appeal.
– Top 5 buyer countries: Buyers from Australia, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany led the way, reflecting the company’s global reach and robust buyer network.
– Top 5 equipment categories sold:
- Mini Hydraulic Excavators – Over 1,000 lots sold
- Hydraulic Excavators – Crawler – Over 500 lots sold
- Agricultural tractors – Over 480 lots sold
- Boom Lifts – Over 680 lots sold
- Wheel Loaders – Over 370 lots sold
“Ritchie Bros. stands out as Europe’s leading company for equipment transactions and heavy equipment services, driving record-breaking participation at our end-of-year sales events. Our unmatched global reach, world-class service, and diverse sales solutions set us apart, ensuring we deliver exceptional results for our customers. Ritchie Bros. continues to set the gold standard in auctions across Europe, making us the first and only choice for buyers and sellers. We don’t just compete in the heavy equipment transaction space—we lead it with unparalleled scale and performance,” said Duncan Ainscough, Head of International Sales at Ritchie Bros.
Key Outcomes from Ritchie Bros. United Kingdom – Maltby
Ritchie Bros. UK closed the final quarter of 2024 with three auctions, including the highly anticipated Plantforce Fleet Renewal Auction, marking a strong conclusion to the year. More than 2,290 lots were sold across these events, with more than 2,800 registered bidders participating and more than 630 buyers from 100 countries worldwide securing equipment.
A highlight of the quarter was the collaboration between UK plant hire company Plantforce and Ritchie Bros., aimed at renewing its fleet through a dedicated auction as part of a significant renewal strategy. On November 20th, 160 items from the Plantforce fleet, including excavators, wheel loaders, dumpers, and telehandlers, were sold at the Maltby yard in Rotherham. Notably, 57% of the active bidders were from outside the UK, highlighting the international appeal of the auction. The event saw 73 buyers from 14 countries secure high-quality machinery, underscoring the global demand for well-maintained equipment.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Sam Mercer, CEO of Plantforce, commented: “With sustainability being such a strategic focus for us, it is very important we make the right choice when it comes to selling items from our fleet that are due for renewal. As well as ensuring they are well maintained during their time of service in our fleet, it is important to ensure that they go on to have a ‘second life’. To do that at the scale needed for our business, we found Ritchie Bros. a fantastic service provider. Their reputation and profile in the pre-owned machinery market mean they can move on quickly and efficiently, allowing us to progress our fleet renewal strategy.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
Ritchie Bros. UK continues to provide exceptional sales opportunities and will hold its next auction in Maltby on February 12-13, 2025, marking the first major event of the new year. Additionally, Ritchie Bros. continues to offer a wide range of equipment sales through its Marketplace-E platform, ensuring ongoing opportunities for customers worldwide.
For more information about Ritchie Bros. UK services and upcoming events, visit rbauction.co.uk.
