Ritchie Bros sets another record
VANCOUVER, BC, Canada
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Incorporated's earnings grew 17% more than the first half of 2006, reaching USD44.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007.

Gross auction proceeds for the first half of 2007 were USD1.65 billion, also 17% higher than the prior year's corresponding period. It represents the largest first half in the company's history. Auction revenues for the first six months were USD163.9 million, a 22% growth from last year.

Ritchie Bros conducted 87 unreserved industrial auctions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Mexico and Asia in this period.

Rocla boasts strong sales growth
JÄRVENPÄÄ, Finland
Net sales for Rocla Oyj were up 19.9% for the first half of 2007, compared to the corresponding period last year.

Rocla's sales were EUR61.2 million (USD82.5 million) for 1 January to 30 June 2007. Operating profit for this period was EUR2.0 million (USD2.7 million). Machine orders at the end of June 2007 stood at EUR27.4 million (USD36.9 million), a 43.8% jump from last year.

Meanwhile, the integration of Rocla's warehouse trucks and automated guided vehicles operations will be finalised by the end of 2007. In 2006, Rocla merged with its forklift rental business and automated guided vehicle company to improve cost efficiency (Forkliftaction.com News #273).