Auctioneer Ritchie Bros said it sold $3.9 billion worth of equipment this year during 328 auctions around the world, a five per cent increase in sales compared to 2011. The company said auction proceeds for 2012 were the highest in its history, with $1 billion in auction sales recorded in the fourth quarter alone. Sales to online bidders also represented a larger slice of the total; Ritchie Bros sold $1.3 billion of equipment to online bidders this year, up 18 per cent year-on-year and the highest amount it has ever sold online in one year.
Peter Blake, CEO, Ritchie Bros, said, ?Against the backdrop of market turbulence through the year, we are pleased with our 2012 results as we emerged well-positioned to continue the growth of our core unreserved auction business and are ready to begin a new path that will introduce a new customer base to our brand.?