As the volume of auctions increases, Ritchie Bros. states that local expertise is what turns a marketplace into a partner

With more lots being offered at every auction, Ritchie Bros. is highlighting the operational expertise and local teams that help buyers and sellers navigate complex, international markets.

Ritchie Bros., the global equipment management and sales company, reports a year-over-year increase of 18% in the number of lots offered at auctions in the EMEA & APAC regions between January and June 2026. As volumes increase, the company is placing regional expertise and operational know-how—which underpin every transaction—at the center of how it supports its customers in the second half of 2026.

This growth is occurring at a time when companies in international markets are facing rising operating costs, economic uncertainty, and increasingly complex international transactions. Many companies are keeping their equipment in service longer and postponing replacement decisions until market conditions become clearer.

In this context, selling heavy equipment is no longer just about finding a buyer. It’s about working with a partner who understands the local market, handles the operational details—from inspections and logistics to customs formalities and documentation—and confidently connects sellers with global demand.

“A larger marketplace only delivers value if the operational activities behind it can handle the pressure.”, says Shane Eshuis, Vice President of Operations at Ritchie Bros. International. “Our clients don’t just need access to buyers—they need people on the ground who know their region inside and out and can take the complexity off their hands. That’s what operational excellence means to us, and that’s why it becomes even more important—not less—as we grow.”

These capabilities are most evident in the work that customers rarely get to see. From its Maltby location, Ritchie Bros. organizes approximately ten auctions per year in the United Kingdom, and since the country left the EU, every machine sold to European buyers must comply with phytosanitary certification—the machine is completely disassembled and inspected for even the smallest trace of soil before it is allowed to cross the border. The team has built up this expertise on its own and now handles much of this process for customers. Last year, this included a 125-metric-ton excavator bound for Egypt, which was disassembled across six containers, secured with chains worth 7,000 pounds, and shipped within three to four days.

“It’s a very dynamic market, and there’s little room for error.”, says Rob Trewick, Regional Operations Manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland. “That project was a wonderful example of how all our teams work together seamlessly.”

That same combination of local expertise and operational control connects sellers with demand far beyond their home market. The Ritchie Bros. location near Madrid can receive and resell equipment from anywhere in the world without formal import procedures, making Spain a natural gateway between continents—and particularly to South America. The largest project there began with approximately 4,000 machines from a North African construction program—these were shipped in about 21 shipments to the port of Cádiz, then transported to Madrid and sold over the course of 18 months to buyers in nearly 90 countries, with a total value of nearly 18 million euros.

“There’s a lot that goes into a project like this”, says Fergus Garrett, Regional Operations Manager for Spain. “Our operations team is one of the most experienced in the entire organization—the average length of service on our team is close to ten years. Thanks to that experience, we’re able to stay in close contact with our clients and take care of every detail so they don’t have to.”

This press release kicks off a series that will run through the third quarter of 2026, showcasing operational expertise in practice and serving as a prelude to Super September, the company’s annual flagship campaign. Q3 and September are the times of year when that operational capacity is deployed on the largest scale, allowing salespeople to reach the broadest possible audience of buyers.

The full auction calendar for Super September will be announced later this summer, giving sellers time to plan their entries and giving buyers a sneak peek at what will be coming to market.

To sell with Ritchie Bros., go to: https://www.rbauction.nl/