With its third Edmonton auction of the year, Ritchie Bros. sold close to 7,300 equipment items for more than $72 million—up 32 percent from last year's June sale.

The June 12–14 auction attracted more than 9,550 people from over 50 countries, including roughly 7,000 online bidders. Approximately 90 percent of the equipment in the auction was sold to Canadian buyers, with buyers from Alberta purchasing 59 percent, while international buyers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore and the Netherlands purchased 10 percent of the equipment. Approximately 67 percent of the equipment in the auction was sold to online buyers.

"Over the last three sales in Edmonton we have seen increased volumes of equipment trading hands at our auctions—compared to last year—as local contractors anticipate increased work in summer and fall," said Trent Vandenberghe, Regional Sales Manager, Ritchie Bros. "We saw strong results for heavy construction equipment this week, with active bidding from onsite and online bidders from around the world. We also had a unique consignment of recreational vehicles showcasing our ability to sell more than just truck tractors and bulldozers. We sold 65 unused boats and a number of RVs for a local dealer who was retiring, and we attracted a ton of new bidders as a result."

Ritchie Bros. sold equipment for more than 1,100 owners in the Edmonton auction, including a complete retirement dispersal for C.L.L. Holdings Ltd., a Lloydminster-based company that provides fresh water delivery, potable water hauling and lease water removal for industrial, commercial and residential projects throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan.