Over 17,000 bidders competed in Ritchie Bros.' "Start 2025 Strong" campaign for 20,000 lots
[Dubai, UAE – April 24, 2025] – Ritchie Bros. has experienced strong auction demand during the “Start 2025 Strong” campaign with over 17,300 bidders across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Bidder participation increased by 21% compared to the same period last year. This is the highest number of bidders recorded in these regions over the past five years, reflecting the growing global appetite for industrial assets. As supply tightens and demand remains high, equipment owners have a prime opportunity to ‘Sell Smarter This Spring,’ turning unused machinery into capital ahead of the busy season.
“With OEM prices rising and supply constraints limiting availability, many owners are holding onto their assets longer, tightening the market and sustaining high price level,” says Duncan Ainscough, Head of International Sales at Ritchie Bros. “This competitive bidding presents an opportunity for optimal returns for sellers, making this an ideal moment to sell."
“Start 2025 Strong” campaign at a glance
- Assets sold: Over 20,000 units, marking a 17% year-on-year growth.
- Global Participation: Attracted over 17,300 bidders and 6,400 buyers from around the world—both figures setting five-year records for this period in the region.
- Top Buyer Countries: Australia, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France.
- Most Popular Equipment Categories: Hydraulic Excavators, MFWD Tractors, Telescopic Forklifts, Wheel Loaders, and Articulated Dump Trucks.
The performance is driven by Ritchie Bros.’ strategic investments in international marketing and platform reach, which continue to attract sellers seeking strong results and buyers in search of valuable opportunities.
“Our results show what happens when sellers and buyers trust a platform that consistently delivers,” said David Fanning, Director, International Marketing at Ritchie Bros. “We’re not just meeting demand—we’re leading the market with scale, transparency, global reach, reputation and results.”
Key outcomes from Ritchie Bros. Dubai
Ritchie Bros. Dubai kicked off the year with a successful auction on 24–25 February, selling over 1,400 lots and drawing buyers from 82 countries. The highest bidder participation came from the UAE, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Rising Bids and Tight Supply Make this Spring ideal for selling
The tightening supply is driving a surge in bidder activity, and seller conditions this spring remain favorable. Bidder activity in early 2025 increased by 21% compared to the same period in 2024, with over 17,000 participants across Ritchie Bros. auctions and Marketplace-E.
Participation in high-value lots—those above £10,000—rose by 14%, while the average number of bidders per item sold grew by 5%. Buyer activity followed a similar trend, with over 6,000 buyers recorded across both platforms.
The top countries for bidder and buyer participation at the beginning of the year were Australia, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. “Sellers are turning to Ritchie Bros. Auctions and Marketplace-E to achieve strong returns.", said Duncan Ainscough. “Our growing participation confirms that more companies see us as their preferred trusted selling partner.”
Huw Richards, General Manager of Walters Group UK, agrees: "Ritchie Bros. presented a bespoke strategy that perfectly aligned with our needs, leveraging their timed auctions and Marketplace-E. Their understanding of our requirements, combined with their successful track record, made them the ideal choice."
For buyers, Ritchie Bros. offers unmatched transparency and integrity, including fair market pricing with no seller buy-backs, no hidden re-lists, and no reserve prices—every item is sold to the highest bidder.
As one of the largest equipment marketplaces worldwide, Ritchie Bros. provides wide selection, cross-border reach, and where needed, with logistics support available through our service partners, making equipment sourcing easier and more reliable than ever.
Upcoming International Auctions
Ritchie Bros. is set to continue its strong performance in the second quarter, with upcoming auctions scheduled across its international network:
- Moerdijk, Netherlands – 23-24 April
- Maltby, United Kingdom – 14-15 May
- Caorso, Italy – 22 – 23 May
- Ocana, Spain – 11-12 June
- Meppen, Germany – 12-13 June
- Dubai, UAE – 17-18 June
- Australia National Auction – 18-19 June
- France Online Auction – 24-26 June
- Maltby, United Kingdom – 25-26 June
- Marketplace-E – Ongoing, 24/7 online Marketplace
About Ritchie Bros.
Ritchie Bros., an RB Global, Inc. (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) company, is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offering auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with weekly featured auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance® equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; and Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit rbauction.com or for more information on RB Global, visit rbglobal.com.
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