Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat, would you share your opinion of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers? Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc., $57.35, symbol RBA on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 109.0 million; Market cap: $6.2 billion; www.rbauction.com) is the world’s largest industrial auctioneer. The company sells a broad range of used and unused equipment through its unreserved auctions, online marketplaces and private brokerage services. That merchandise includes earthmoving equipment, truck trailers, government surplus, oil and gas equipment and other industrial assets. Construction and heavy machinery comprise the majority of sales. Customers selling equipment through Ritchie’s sales channels include end users (such as construction companies), equipment dealers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other equipment owners (such as rental companies). The Vancouver-based company operates globally, with locations in more than 13 countries. The U.S., Canada and Australia are among them, also the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands. Ritchie employ more than 2,200 full-time workers worldwide. The company’s auctions include both onsite and online bidding, and about 80% of buyers are users of the equipment they buy. However, equipment makers, dealers, brokers and…