Record Ritchie auction in Brisbane

Cranes and trucks sold for extremely high prices and there was massive interest in the 24 and 25 June Ritchie Bros. auction in Brisbane, Australia, writes Brent Stacey.

Highlights in the crane sector included a pair of 2007 Manitowoc Model 12000 crawlers that sold for AU$1.1 million (US$1 million) each, a 2006 Terex Franna AT 20 that went for AU$475,000 (US$456,000), a 2006 Tadano GT550E truck crane that made AU$600,000 (US$576,000) and a 2007 Grove GMK4080 all terrain that sold for AU$1.4 million (US$1.3 million).

Among the transport equipment highlights were more than 100 prime movers (truck tractors), including a 2004 Mack that sold for AU$320,000 (US$307,000), nearly 60 low loaders, including a 2005 Drake that sold for AU$1.05 million (US$1.01 million).

The cranes and transport equipment came from Queensland-based Skelton Transportation Pty Ltd and New South Wales-based Howards Haulage, in addition to items from almost 130 other consignors, including a number of Japan-based companies.

Almost 1,800 people from 17 countries registered to bid in person on the cranes, trucks and earthmoving equipment at the Yatala, Gold Coast event. More than 1,100 items were sold in the unreserved public auction, attracting a record number of bidders for that site and generating record gross auction proceeds of AU$55 million (US$53 million). It was Ritchie’s largest Australian auction and its first two-day one.

“The auction could not have gone better,” said Simon Ross, Ritchie Bros. regional manager. “The yard was full of good quality, late model used equipment and the auction theatre was full of interested buyers... Demand for cranes and transportation equipment remains strong and resulted in exceptionally high prices on auction day. Buyers and sellers went home happy.”