Ritchie Bros in Grande Prairie, AB set a record for largest auction ever from November 23 - 26, where it saw $82 million worth of equipment sold (Photo: CNW Group/Ritchie Bros.)

By Shane Clausing

record breaking auction

Ritchie Bros. Grande Prairie sets record with largest auction ever

Dec 1, 2020 | 11:50 AM

Ritchie Bros. in Grande Prairie has set a new record for it’s largest auction ever from November 23 to 26, selling over 4,900 pieces of equipment, resulting in sales of $82 million Canadian.

The record setting weekend saw the company surpass the previous gross transaction value record by 32 per cent.

Over 12,000 bidders from 53 different countries registered for the Grande Prairie auction.

Of the items sold, 91 per cent of the equipment was purchased by Canadians, 52 per cent of the equipment sold went to Albertans. International bidders purchased nine percent of the items.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the auction was conducted entirely online.

Plan Ahead

Why Would You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?

Apr 03, 2024

Dying away from home

What Happens if You Die Away From Home?

Mar 04, 2024

Flag Retiring Ceremony

What Do You Do With Worn-Out Flags?

Feb 01, 2024

Items sold included pipeline equipment and heavy-duty machinery.

One of the more interesting item sold at the auction was a pipelayer designed by NTL Pipelines, that was painted pink and sold for $245,000.

“All proceeds from the sale of the pink pipelayer have been generously donated by NTL’s owner, John Neudorf, to a charity made in his late sister’s name: the Community Foundation of Northwest Alberta Eva Marie Fund. We are glad we could help,” explained Terry Moon, Regional Sales Manager with Ritchie Bros.

Moon added that this was the first time that the Grande Prairie location had hosted a four-day auction. There were 582,000 people who viewed the auction page and 57,000 items added to customers personal watch lists.