Ritchie Bros. to conduct two auctions in Orlando in February 2010

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world’s largest auctioneer of industrial equipment, will conduct its annual six-day unreserved public auction at its Orlando, Florida permanent auction site from February 15 – 20, 2010. The large auction will feature thousands of heavy equipment items and trucks – and every item will be sold to the highest bidder on auction day, with no minimum bids or reserve prices.

“The February Orlando auction is the largest Ritchie Bros. auction of the year as well as the world’s largest industrial auction each year. Last year, with a 200-acre auction site and six days, it featured more items than any of our other auctions,” said Steve Kriebel, Regional Manager for Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. “This year, with thousands of equipment items and trucks being sold, we will have something for almost every one. This wide selection of equipment and our commitment to unreserved auctions help attract thousands of bidders from all over the world each year.”

Last February Ritchie Bros. conducted its first six-day auction in Company history at its Orlando site, selling more than 8,300 items over six days, generating US$184 million in gross auction proceeds and attracting 7,600 unique bidders from 75 countries. The annual auction is definitely the place to sell and buy the equipment you need.

A week prior to this February 2010 Orlando auction, Ritchie Bros. will be conducting a live benefit auction on Monday, February 8, 2010 starting at 6:00 p.m. at the American Rental Association Rental Show. All proceeds go to the ARA Foundation, which implements programs that create educational opportunities, build relationships and aid the equipment rental industry.

Last year’s ARA Foundation benefit auction received donations from 24 ARA Rental Show exhibitors. Auction proceeds were used to award 24 scholarships for 2009-2010 students pursuing rental-related education at accredited institutions. This year’s benefit auction features a wide range of donated items, including equipment and travel packages.

Established in 1976 as a rental industry education resource, the ARA Foundation’s other initiatives include a Rental Executive Advisory Program, a disaster relief program and an international rental exchange program.

Like every Ritchie Bros. auction, both auctions will be unreserved, which means there are no minimum bids or reserve prices. Every item will be sold to the highest bidder on auction day, regardless of price.