Online auctions of Earthmoving and Agri booming business

In America, it is the most common thing in the world to buy construction equipment and machinery through an online auction. In Europe this is also happening more and more. Epic-Auctions in Leende in Brabant is one such auction house, specializing in agricultural equipment, earthmoving machinery and transport equipment. 

In 2014, the company launched its first online auction of 150 lots. "This has since grown into a monthly auction with around 1,200 lots," says Cees Swaanen, account manager for Agricultural and Earthmoving. "We auction (young) used equipment and new equipment. For example, pre-owned models from dealers. Our focus is on agricultural equipment, earthmoving machines and transport equipment. This is where we have the most experience and know-how. Every month an online auction is held for this purpose, preceded by several viewing days."

Perfect channel for both seller and buyer
The auction house mainly focused on the business end-user as buyer but also wants to focus more on the end-user as seller. Swaanen: "We are not only the perfect channel to buy, but also to sell to. End users and earthmovers who buy a new crane can sell the old one through us and get better prices for it than elsewhere." This is partly due to the favorable insertion rates and buyer's commission of only 5 percent. Epic has little overhead and can therefore keep the commission lower than competitors. And the lower the auction fees, the better for entrant and buyer. 

Maximum support
In addition, the auction company offers good service at a low price. "We want to unburden the consignor as much as possible. They bring in the items and we then take care of everything. We take nice pictures and an honest and clear description for the website so that purchases can be made directly online. As a result, 80 percent no longer even come to a viewing day. We set the starting bid and are a no-reserve auction. Offered goods are guaranteed to go away regardless of price," the account manager said. The firm now has customers from all over the world. Although the contributors are mainly from the Netherlands and Belgium, 70 percent of the machines go out of the country.

Ambition to grow even more
The fast-growing Epic-Auctions also has ambitions. "We are in the process of opening more locations in the Netherlands and Flemish-speaking areas to bring in equipment. This is already possible in Elst, where there are also viewing days. In addition, we want to focus more on companies that are reorganizing or terminating their operations. We hold the auctions on location of the contributor and take care of the entire process there," Swaanen concludes.