Ritchie Bros., the world’s largest industrial auctioneer and a leading marketplace for used heavy equipment, closes 2025 as one of its strongest years on record, fueled by extensive global activity, marked by a series of record-breaking auctions, milestone anniversaries, and close customer engagement at both local events and major international tradeshows.
Across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and APAC, the company has conducted this year 79 auctions, selling more than 101,800 lots from over 6,000 sellers and engaging 21,300+ buyers and 81,300+ bidders through its Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, IronPlanet and Marketplace-E channels.
These results underscore Ritchie Bros.’ strength as a global equipment sales ecosystem, connecting sellers with a broad international buyer audience.
By combining technology-driven reach with deep industry expertise and trusted personal relationships, the company enables businesses to make confident fleet decisions even in dynamic market conditions, said the company in a statement.
Buoyancy across EMEA
Europe started 2025 with strong momentum. Germany hosted the largest Ritchie Bros. auction in its history in Q1, while its presence at bauma in Munich (April 2025) and Agritechnica in Hannover (November 2025) - two of the world’s most influential industry tradeshows - further reinforced the country’s international profile and showcased Ritchie Bros.’ leadership in the region.
Interest remained strong across Northern Europe, bolstered by the opening of new equipment storage yards in Vaggeryd (Sweden), Tuusula (Finland), and Mullingar (Ireland), offering sellers convenient, cost-effective access to global buyers.
The Nordic facilities strengthened the Benelux and wider regional auction network, while a high-value disposal package from Collé further boosted performance in the region, said the statement.
The Mullingar yard marked Ritchie Bros.’ first in Ireland, expanding local access to international markets with the support of a dedicated team, it added.
Off-site auction program
In 2025, Ritchie Bros. expanded its off-site auction program, allowing sellers to sell directly from their own yards without moving a single asset. These auctions leverage Ritchie Bros.’ global reach, extensive network, marketing exposure, and auction expertise to maximize value for sellers.
In the United Kingdom, the M O’Brien off-site auction attracted bidders from 47 countries, with 53% of participants from outside the country and 64% of the auction value sold internationally, demonstrating strong global demand at a national event.
Meanwhile, France hosted four off-site auctions, including its first dealer-dedicated sale, supported two agricultural businesses through major operational transitions, and closed the year with a record December auction, attended by more than 4,300 bidders.
Landmark anniversaries, record-breaking events
Southern Europe celebrated landmark anniversaries and record-breaking events in 2025. In Italy, the Caorso site marked in December its 15th anniversary in with customers and closed the site was also featured in a national TV documentary highlighting its role in agricultural and industrial auctions.
In Spain, it was celebrated in Ocana its 25th anniversary with a record auction in November—the largest in six years—featuring more than 3,200 lots and buyers from 55 countries, alongside a charity sale supporting the Desafío ELA Foundation.
Beyond Europe, the Middle East also delivered outstanding results in 2025. Ritchie Bros.’ Dubai site recorded a record-breaking year, with 6,800 lots sold to more than 1,500 buyers, alongside unprecedented participation from sellers.
Strong interest across Asia-Pacific markets
Growth in APAC mirrored this market buoyancy. Across the region, Ritchie Bros. conducted 41 auctions through its Ritchie Bros. and IronPlanet channels, selling over 32,800 lots and attracting more than 30,000 unique bidders.
Australia celebrated its 30th anniversary with the largest national auction in its history, a live unreserved event combining live and online bidding that drew nearly 6,000 registrations and generated over 412,000 pageviews, marking three decades of growth since Ritchie Bros. held its first sale in Brisbane in 1995.
The year also saw the completion of the acquisition of Smith Broughton Auctioneers in Western Australia, further strengthening the company’s presence in key mining, infrastructure, and construction markets.
In addition, Ritchie Bros. held its first three auctions in China featuring Chinese OEMs and other international manufacturers through IronPlanet -one in April, one in July, and one in October-, featuring late-model, low-hour machines from multiple sellers, including excavators, cranes, and trucks from top manufacturers like XCMG, JLG, and Liugong. Buyers could purchase directly from trusted OEMs, ensuring quality and reliability.
Growth powered by people, backed by technology
"2025 was a year of expanded reach and deeper customer partnerships," remarked Ghislaine Duijmelings, the General Manager at Ritchie Bros. International.
"We strengthened the international network our customers rely on, but beyond the numbers, our success came from the people who make this company what it is - experts on the ground who understand local markets and connect them to global opportunity," he stated.
"This combination of human insight and worldwide demand is what will carry our customers confidently into 2026," he added.
As the industry turns towards the first major selling moments of the new year, Ritchie Bros. will continue supporting customers with the insight and reach that will help them ‘Start 2026 Strong and Get More with Ritchie Bros.’
An RB Global company, Ritchie Bros. 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.-TradeArabia News Service
