Ritchie Bros.’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) yard.

Ritchie Bros., a leading global auctioneer of used and unused heavy equipment and trucks, is gearing up for its upcoming Dubai summer auction which boasts a wide variety of equipment and is aligned with its commitment to a transparent buying experience.

“Transparency is the cornerstone of what sets us apart,” David Dahirel, Sales Director at Ritchie Bros., told Gulf Construction in an exclusive interview. “We offer a comprehensive buyer experience with an easy bidding process and support throughout, from detailed inspection reports and 360-degree views of select equipment to brochures, catalogues, and on-yard inspections.”

Dahirel ... great success in online auctions.

Dahirel ... great success in online auctions.

Ritchie Bros. conducts unreserved auctions, meaning there are no minimum bids or reserve prices. The Dubai auction, scheduled for June 4 and 5, is expected to feature more than 1,000 items across various categories, including construction, mining, oil and gas, and transportation. While the final numbers will be confirmed closer to the auction date, Dahirel anticipates strong interest in excavators (20 to 80 tons), dumptrucks, and supporting equipment like backhoe loaders, skid-steers, telehandlers and soil compactors.

“Since the beginning of this year, we have observed a growing demand for relatively young equipment, particularly within the construction sector,” Dahirel added.

2023 Komatsu PC210LC-10M0 ... auction highlights.

2023 Komatsu PC210LC-10M0 ... auction highlight.

Among the categories of equipment that will be prominently featured at the Dubai auction are hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, forklifts, hydraulic truck cranes, loader backhoes – and the list continues to grow.

Among the highlights of the auction are:            

•   2024 JCB 3DX 4x2 backhoe loader (unused);

•   2023 Komatsu PC210LC-10M0 tracked excavator;

•   2022 Doosan D50SC-5 five-ton pneumatic tyre forklift (unused).

•   2020 XCMG QY160K 160 ton 12x6x8 hydraulic truck crane;

•   2016 Komatsu WA470-6 wheel loader;

The auction will be conducted entirely online, and Ritchie Bros. has recently revamped its website to enhance the user experience in line with its focus on providing a seamless online bidding experience. The website features faster browsing, improved search functionality, a streamlined sign-in process, and enhanced mobile compatibility.

For a more thorough inspection, the company has introduced a 360-degree inspection feature for select items. “This feature allows customers to virtually inspect machinery from the comfort of their homes, empowering them to make informed decisions without needing to be physically present at the yard,” Dahirel remarked.

2022 Doosan D50SC-5 ... auction highlights.

2022 Doosan D50SC-5 ... auction highlight.

For buyers who prefer a physical inspection, Ritchie Bros. welcomes attendees to visit its Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) yard starting from May 29. “This allows customers to thoroughly inspect the machinery before bidding online from the comfort of their homes,” said Dahirel.

“We’ve seen great success with our online auctions,” he continued. “The March auction attracted over 1,200 bidders from 83 countries, and we sold over 1,000 lots completely unreserved.”

Construction activity in the Gulf region and Africa is growing and finding a good machine is essential for the contractors in this demanding market.

“With a diverse range of equipment and a commitment to transparency, we offer an exceptional platform for contractors across the Gulf region and beyond to find the right equipment, and our team is happy to assist. We look forward to welcoming an even larger audience to the June auction,” Dahirel concluded.