Ritchie Bros. attracted more than 14,500 bidders to compete for more than 6,500 items, generating more than $61 million in gross transaction value at its first Houston site auction of the year.

Approximately 87% of the equipment in the auction, which was held Feb. 14 to Feb. 16, was sold to U.S. buyers, including 48% purchased by Texans. The remaining 13% was purchased by international buyers from countries such as France, India and Japan. Auction highlights included more than 1,100 transportation assets, more than 1,100 construction equipment assets, more than 700 lifting and material handling assets, forestry equipment and more. All assets were sold without minimum bids or reserve prices.

“We had a fantastic selection of equipment last week in Houston, with something for everyone, attracting bidders from more than 60 countries around the world,” Chuck Roberson, regional sales manager at Ritchie Bros., said. “We achieved strong prices for equipment and trucks all three days of the auction. As a result, we had a lot of happy sellers eager to consign more equipment for our upcoming Fort Worth sale in March and our weekly IronPlanet events.”

For bidders who were unable to secure the items they need in Houston last week, we have a many upcoming auctions and online events, including our Premier Global Auction this week in Orlando, FL. More than 13,000 items will be sold in the massive five-day event. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to visit rbauction.com/orlando2023 to get registered and start bidding.”

Five Big Sellers from Houston:

• 2017 Komatsu XT445L-3 feller buncher – $282,500
• 2013 Peterbelt 365 Manitex 50155SHL 50-ton articulating boom truck – $270,000
• 2022 XL Specialized XL120HDG 60-ton 2+3+2 removable gooseneck lowboy – $252,000
• 2019 Caterpillar 950M high lift wheel loader – $215,000
• 2016 Caterpillar 349FL hydraulic excavator – $207,500

Auction Quick Facts: Houston (February 2023)

• Gross Transaction Value: More than $61 million
• Items Sold: More than 6,500
• Bidders: More than 14,500
• Consignors: More than 750