Katowice, Poland

Industrial equipment auctioneer Ritchie Bros. held its first multi-million dollar auction in Poland this month, selling more than EUR5 million (USD7 million) of materials handling equipment.

The unreserved public auction was held in the city of Sosnowiec, near Katowice, with more than 200 people attending. Brian Butzelaar, Ritchie Bros divisional manager, says the auction included equipment from close to 40 companies, including H.E. Services (Plant Hire) Ltd.

"The auction was a success in many ways: prices were strong, the consignors were pleased with the results, and hundreds of people had the opportunity to experience a true unreserved auction for the first time ever.

"More than 460 items were sold on auction day," he says. "Among the equipment sold were forklifts, telescopic forklifts, scissor lifts, boom lifts, hydraulic excavators, mini- and midi-excavators, loader backhoes, dumpers... and more."

Butzelaar says more than 200 people from 26 countries registered to bid on-site and online at the auction in Poland. "Most of the equipment was purchased by buyers from across Western and Eastern Europe."

Ritchie Bros. first established an office in Krakow, Poland in 2005 to service its customers there. Previously, many would travel to auctions held in other parts of the world or bid online. Butzelaar says demand for an auction in Poland has been growing, especially since unreserved public equipment auctions are not common there.