Used construction equipment, industrial plant and agricultural machinery, the majority of which was previously deployed in the UK, was snapped up by bidders from across Europe and further afield at the recent two-day auction in Dromore, Northern Ireland, on 17 and 18 February which achieved a final hammer total of €6.65m.

Over 1,700 individual lots were consigned to this auction by over 150 predominantly UK and Irish sellers and these attracted almost 1,000 bidders to register; around 60% of whom chose to experience the sale firsthand and attended the event, that saw all lots sold.

Over 40 were first-time bidders, half of whom were successful in securing the lots they were after. UK and buyers from Ireland were well represented, as expected, with other countries in the top 10 comprising Poland, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Japan and Spain. There was also strong representation from Romania, Turkey, and the Middle East.

Over 90% of the total auction by value will be shipped to customers based in or operating across Europe.

Bidders from the USA also showed considerable interest in this sale, successfully acquiring a number of high-value pieces of equipment to meet requirements and spending close to €500,000.

“This sale has again proved the level of demand and interest that used UK equipment generates, both within the domestic market but particularly now that the exchange rate favours those looking to ship the equipment back to their home markets,” stated Jonnie Keys, operations manager for Euro Auctions.

“Quality of the equipment is another key factor. Most lots being consigned to our auctions are typically high-specification, well maintained, often low hours examples, which makes them really attractive to bidders from across Europe and why bidders based in the USA, Japan and the Middle East in particular also look to us for used equipment to meet local demand.”

“Achieving a final hammer total of €6.65m for this two-day event pushed previous records and what was particularly noteworthy was the significant jump in the number of internet bidders, almost doubling to over 40% in just the last 12 months.

Paul Cooke auctions held an unreserved auction on behalf of Roscommon County Council on 11 March. There was a great turnout of bidders, both in person and online.

A near total clearance of machines was achieved. Even though there were no big ticket items up for sale, what was on offer was of good quality and well minded.

Bidders from oversees were very visible at the auction and many of the top lots were destined for foreign owners.

Government bodies

Paul Cooke Auctions will be holding an unreserved auction for a number of Government and semi-State bodies and numerous local authorities to sell a large selection of plant, machinery, trucks and vehicles on Saturday 8 April from 11.30am at the premises of Holden Plant Rentals, Ballyale, Co Kilkenny. The Catalogue for this auction makes for interesting reading, with many quality lots going under the hammer.