Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers has agreed to acquire the auction business and certain assets of Martella Auction Company, a California-based auctioneer of agricultural and industrial equipment.

Ritchie Bros. also intends to enter into an agreement to lease the roughly 65-acre Martella auction site.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed because its size will not be considered material relative to the company's consolidated operations, Ritchie Bros. said. The acquisition is expected to close on or about December 21, 2009.

The acquisition is intended to expand and strengthen Ritchie Bros.' presence in the used agricultural and industrial equipment markets in California, and establishes an additional auction site in a proven auction market. Jeremy Martella, principal owner and operator, will join the Ritchie Bros. team as the area manager of this new auction site effective upon closing.

"We are very excited to have Jeremy Martella and his staff join our team," said Peter Blake, Ritchie Bros. CEO. "Martella Auction Company is a second generation company that has been in business for more than 35 years, with roots that date back four generations and over 80 years. They conduct their auctions in the same fair and transparent manner that we do. Their staff works hard, they treat their customers right and our two organizations are a good fit. We're looking forward to conducting auctions at this new location."

The first auction under the Ritchie Bros. banner at the new location is planned for February 12, 2010.