Ritchie Bros. sells more than CA$104 million of equipment during three-day Edmonton, AB auction

More than 5,100 trucks and heavy equipment items are sold for more than 765 sellers at the Company's second largest auction in the world so far in 2013

EDMONTON, April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world's largest industrial auctioneer, sold more than CA$104 million (US$102+ million) of trucks and heavy equipment during a record breaking three-day unreserved public auction at its permanent auction site in Edmonton, Alberta last week, from April 24 - 26, 2013. Edmonton internet site records for most online bidders, online buyers and total gross auction proceeds from online bidders were all broken at the auction. The auction featured a large selection of late-model heavy construction equipment, including more than 225 truck tractors, 190 pickup trucks, 135 hydraulic excavators, 115 crawler tractors, 85 dump trucks, 75 flatbed trucks, 60 skid steer loaders, 50 wheel loaders, 45 articulated dump trucks, 40 motor graders, 25 motor scrapers and more. More than 5,100 equipment items and trucks were sold to the highest bidders regardless of price—without minimum bids or reserve prices. Bids were made in person at the Edmonton auction site, online in real time at www.rbauction.com or by proxy.

"This April Edmonton auction was the largest Canadian auction so far this year—and our second largest auction globally in 2013. We had a great turn-out and bidding was strong throughout all three days of the auction," said Jim Rotlisberger, Regional Sales Manager, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. "It's rare—outside of a Ritchie Bros. auction—to find such a wide range of quality equipment under one roof; it's that diverse selection that regularly attracts buyers from near and far to our auctions. And, with four more Edmonton auctions remaining in 2013, heavy equipment owners here in the Edmonton area will have plenty more opportunities to buy and sell equipment at strong, competitive market values."

More than 8,200 bidders from more than 40 countries, including 38 US states and all Canadian provinces and territories, registered to bid in person or online for the auction. More than CA$71 million (US$70+ million) of trucks and equipment was purchased by Alberta buyers while participants from outside Alberta purchased more than CA$33 million (US$32+ million) of trucks and equipment or 32 percent of total gross auction proceeds. More than 3,900 of the bidders participated online and purchased more than CA$36 million (US$36+ million) of equipment online.

Last week's unreserved public auction in Edmonton featured equipment for more than 765 sellers, including more than 170 heavy construction and transportation equipment items in a complete dispersal for Dawn Lynn Construction Ltd.—an oilfield construction company that has been selling with Ritchie Bros. since 1999.

"We saw very good activity levels from the bidding crowds during the auction," said Brian Ellis, president of Dawn Lynn Construction Ltd. "I couldn't be more pleased. Ritchie Bros. went above and beyond to ensure that I received the best results and best value for my equipment and, in doing so, provided me with much appreciated assurance as I head into retirement."

AUCTION QUICK FACTS: EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 24 - 26, 2013

• Gross Auction Proceeds - CA$104+ million (US$102+ million)
• Amount sold to online bidders - CA$36+ million (US$36+ million)* New Edmonton, AB site record
• Unique bidders (onsite and online total) - 8,200+
• Unique online bidders - 3,900+* New Edmonton, AB site record
• Lots sold - 5,100+
• Number of sellers - 765+
  
  

The Ritchie Bros. auction calendar currently features more than 80 unreserved public auctions around the world, including the Company's next unreserved public auction in Edmonton, AB, which is scheduled for June 12 & 13, 2013. Visit www.rbauction.com for a complete list of upcoming auctions.

About Ritchie Bros.
Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is the world's largest seller of used equipment for the construction, transportation, agricultural, material handling, energy, mining, forestry,  marine and other industries. Ritchie Bros. offers compelling solutions that make it easy for the world's builders to buy and sell equipment with confidence. The Company conducts hundreds of unreserved public auctions each year, selling more equipment to on-site and online bidders than any other company in the world (rbauction.com).  The Company also operates an online marketplace through Ritchie Bros. EquipmentOne (EquipmentOne.com) and a range of value-added services, including equipment financing for customers through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services (rbauctionfinance.com). The Company has over 110 locations in more than 25 countries, including 44 auction sites worldwide.

ATTENTION MEDIA: Photos and other media resources are available for use at http://www.rbauction.com/media. Members of the public and the media can follow Ritchie Bros. on Twitter @RitchieBros.

SOURCE Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers