[Maltby, United Kingdom – 24 September 2025] –Ritchie Bros., the world’s best known heavy equipment auctioneer, today announced a new partnership in United Kingdom with M O'Brien Plant Hire to manage the sale of over 250 items of equipment as part of their ongoing fleet regeneration strategy. The unreserved auction will be conducted directly from M O'Brien's yard, providing a strategic and sustainable solution for the company's asset management.
The sale will feature a fantastic mix of well-maintained equipment, including excavators, dozers, dump trucks, wheel loaders, telehandlers, and a wide variety of attachments. This event offers an exclusive opportunity for buyers to acquire modern machinery, which has been maintained to the highest standards.
"Our ongoing fleet regeneration strategy is all about ensuring our customers have access to the most sustainable, efficient, and modern equipment on the market," said Michael O’Brien, founder of M O’Brien Plant Hire. "Partnering with Ritchie Bros. to manage this renewal was the clear choice. Their global reach and trusted track record give us the confidence that our equipment will be showcased to the widest possible audience of buyers, all from the convenience of our own yard. This auction marks an important step in our commitment to innovation and sustainability, and we look forward to a successful sale and continued partnership."
Equipment for sale on 15th October at M O'Brien online auction
The decision to hold the auction on-site at the M O'Brien yard was a key part of the collaboration, emphasising a shared commitment to efficiency and environmental responsibility.
"The sustainability of our operation is a key consideration in every business decision we make," said Dan O’Brien, Director, M O’Brien Plant Hire. "Holding this auction directly from our yard is a massive move for us, eliminating the need to transport over 250 items to another location. This not only makes the process significantly more efficient but also dramatically reduces our carbon footprint by cutting out a huge number of lorry movements. It's a huge step towards our green ambitions and a perfect example of how our partnership with Ritchie Bros. helps us achieve our strategic goals.”
From the Ritchie Bros. perspective, this partnership is a significant testament to the value of their offsite auction service.
"We are incredibly proud to partner with a company of M O'Brien's stature and history," said Rupert Craven, Sales Director for Ritchie Bros. "This collaboration demonstrates the trust that leading plant hire firms place in our ability to deliver a seamless, effective, and tailored selling solution. By bringing the auction directly to the client's location, we provide certainty of sale and attract a massive global buyer base, all while aligning with our customers’ strategic objectives."
Ryan Duffy, Ritchie Bros. UK Area Manager, added: "A big thank you to Michael, Dan, James O'Donnell, and the entire M O'Brien team. It’s a fantastic mix of equipment, and we are excited to work together to deliver exceptional results."
The auction will take place on 15th October with the inventory being updated daily on rbauction.co.uk. Bidders are encouraged to register, view the items and add desired machines to their watchlists.
About M O'Brien Plant Hire
Founded in 1990, M O'Brien Plant Hire has grown from a single JCB 3CX operated from a back garden to a nationwide plant hire solution with a fleet of over 800 pieces of equipment. The company is known for its professional approach, investment in modern machinery, and a commitment to providing high-quality, reliable service to clients across the UK construction industry.
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.