Ritchie Bros. to conduct Mid-Atlantic, six-city unreserved auction for United Rentals

North East, MD auction site to host virtual ramp auction; millions of dollars worth of lifting, aerial and general equipment rental items located at two auction sites and four United Rentals locations in MD, OH, NJ, CT, NY and GA

NORTH EAST, MD, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world's largest industrial auctioneer, will conduct a one-owner public auction for United Rentals, Inc. ("United Rentals") -the world's largest equipment rental company - on November 2, 2011. More than 575 lifting, aerial and general equipment rental items are located at six different locations in MD, OH, NJ, CT, NY and GA -- the auction itself takes place at Ritchie Bros. permanent auction site in North East, MD. Interested bidders can go to any of the six locations ahead of auction day to inspect the equipment or they can view detailed equipment information on the Company's website at www.rbauction.com. All the equipment items will be sold to the highest bidders on auction day - regardless of price. There are no minimum bids and no reserve prices for the items being sold. Bids can be made in person at the North East auction site, online in real time at www.rbauction.com or by proxy.

United Rentals owns more than 200,000 items of equipment and replaces items when they reach a certain age. The company has sold equipment at Ritchie Bros. auctions for more than 14 years, and this is the first time it is holding an exclusive one-owner sale and their equipment won't be sold with other owners' equipment. "We choose to sell with Ritchie Bros. because they are the best in the auction business," said Kevin Parr, Eastern Regional Vice President for United Rentals.

"We have a very sophisticated schedule of preventative maintenance that is second to none," continued Mr. Parr. "Most of the equipment in this auction is not even half-life; there is a nice blend of equipment across many equipment categories. The fact that the equipment is spread out over six locations is a benefit to local buyers as well - they won't need to travel very far to test and compare equipment."

"We're pleased to be able to offer a turn-key solution for United Rentals that will help them maximize return in a short period of time," said Rob Blackadar, Divisional Manager, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. "With the items at six locations, our international buying customers can bid online and benefit from our new services, including the detailed equipment information and zoomable photographs on our website, as well as our online transportation service. With the convenience of our online bidding and the reputation of United Rentals and their great maintenance program, people will be able to bid with confidence on auction day knowing they have all the information they need at their fingertips."

The equipment being sold for United Rentals includes: hydraulic excavators, crawler tractors, loader backhoes, skid steer loaders, boom lifts, scissor lifts, forklifts, smooth drum rollers, and many more equipment types. Detailed equipment information, including multiple high-resolution photos of each item and where each item is located, can be viewed at www.rbauction.com/unitedrentals

The auction in North East will be a Virtual Ramp auction, meaning the equipment items will be displayed on a large screen in front of the crowd while they are bidding on each item. Select items will also be sold in a Timed Auction format.

Equipment being sold in this auction is available for inspection - and pick-up after purchase - at these six locations:

Ritchie Bros. North East, MD auction site (75+ equipment items, including skid steer loaders, boom lifts, scissorlifts, telescopic forklifts, and more):3201 West Pulaski Highway, North East, MD
Tel: 410-287-4330, M-F 8am-5pm

Ritchie Bros. Columbus, OH auction site (70+ equipment items, including crawler tractors, loader backhoes, skid steer loaders, trenchers, boom lifts, scissorlifts, forklifts, and more):
200 Ritchie Drive, South Vienna, OH
Tel: 937-568-9500, M-F, 8am-5pm

United Rentals Ridgefield Park, NJ location (115+ equipment items, including loader backhoes, crawler tractors, skid steer loaders, scissorlifts, telescopic forklifts, and more):
222 Bergen Turnpike, Ridgefield Park, NJ - M-F 7am-5pm
Ritchie Bros. Contact: 214-425-8336

United Rentals Bridgeport, CT location (165+ equipment items, including hydraulic excavators, crawler tractors, boom lifts, scissorlifts, forklifts, smooth drum rollers, and more):
552 Housatonic Avenue, Bridgeport, CT - M-F 7am-5pm
Ritchie Bros. Contact: 813-714-4136

United Rentals East Syracuse, NY location (110+ equipment items, including crawler tractors, loader backhoes, scissorlifts, boom lifts, equipment trailers, heaters, and more):
7178 Schuyler Road, East Syracuse, NY - M-F 7am-5pm 
Ritchie Bros. Contact: 817-565-3785

United Rentals Forest Park, GA location (35+ equipment items, including loader backhoes, trenchers, boom lifts, telescopic forklifts, scissorlifts, and more):
3990 Jonesboro Road, Suite A, Forest Park, GA - M-F 7am-5pm
Ritchie Bros. Contact: 678-378-1400

Auction details:

• Auction Location: 3201 West Pulaski Highway, North East, MD 21901
• Auction site phone: +1-410-287-4330
• Time and date: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 starting at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time)
• The auction is open to the public; registration to bid is free
• How to register and bid:
• Online at rbauction.com - register online in advance and bid online in real time on auction day; a refundable bid deposit may be required; first-time bidders should register several days in advance of the auction. Detailed Equipment Information is available at www.rbauction.com
• In person at the Ritchie Bros. North East auction site
• By proxy - phone the North East auction site to place a proxy bid
• Interested buyers can come to the six locations to inspect, test and compare items for themselves starting October 17 (M-F 8am-5pm at United Rentals and Ritchie Bros., with extended hours during the weekend of October 29 and 30) straight through to auction day
• Interested buyers can also apply for pre-approved financing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. Visit www.rbauction.com/financing for more information
• Full auction and equipment details, specifications and photos are available at www.rbauction.com
• All equipment is being sold "As is, where is"

About Ritchie Bros.
Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is the world's largest industrial auctioneer, selling more equipment to on-site and online bidders than any other company in the world. Ritchie Bros. offers services that enable the world's builders to easily and confidently exchange equipment. The Company conducts hundreds of unreserved public auctions each year, selling a broad range of used and unused heavy equipment, trucks and other assets utilized in the construction, transportation, agricultural, material handling, mining, forestry, petroleum and marine industries. Ritchie Bros. has over 110 locations in more than 25 countries, including 43 auction sites worldwide. The Company maintains a website at www.rbauction.com and sponsors an equipment wiki at www.RitchieWiki.com.

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