Ritchie Bros. sold nearly 7,300 equipment items for more than $72 million in its third Edmonton, AB auction of the year. This marked a 32% increase from the same auction a year ago.

The 2018 auction attracted more than 9,550 people from 50 countries, including more than 7,000 online bidders. Approximately 90% of the equipment in the auction was sold to Canadian buyers, with buyers from Alberta purchasing 59%, while international buyers from countries such as the UK, Singapore and the Netherlands purchased 10% of the equipment. Approximately 67% of the equipment in the auction was sold to online buyers.

“Over the last three sales in Edmonton we have seen increased volumes of equipment trading hands at our auctions, compared to last year, as local contractors anticipate increased work in summer and fall,” said Trent Vandenberghe, regional sales manager for Ritchie Bros. “We saw strong results for heavy construction equipment this week, with active bidding from onsite and online bidders from around the world. We also had a unique consignment of recreational vehicles showcasing our ability to sell more than just truck tractors and bulldozers. We sold 65 unused boats and a number of RVs for a local dealer who was retiring, and we attracted a ton of new bidders as a result.”

Ritchie Bros. sold equipment for more than 1,100 owners in the Edmonton auction, including a complete retirement dispersal for C.L.L. Holdings, a company that provides fresh water delivery, potable water hauling and lease water removal for industrial, commercial and residential projects throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“Ritchie Bros. is so well organized, they get great results and their personnel are top notch. Whether you’re working with a salesperson, the registration team, or yard personnel, it doesn’t matter who you talk to, everyone is great to work with,” said Leonard Conlon, president and owner of C.L.L. Holdings. “There was a great crowd at the auction this week and I got excellent results for my equipment, which certainly helps with my retirement.”