Ritchie Bros. to Conduct Six-city Unreserved Auction for United Rentals

NORTH EAST, MD/CNW/ - Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world's largest industrial auctioneer, will conduct a one-owner public auction for United Rentals, Inc. ("United Rentals") on November 2, 2011. More than 575 lifting, aerial and general equipment rental items are located at six different locations in MD, OH, NJ, CT, NY and GA. The auction itself takes place at Ritchie Bros. permanent auction site in North East, MD.

Interested bidders can go to any of the six locations ahead of auction day to inspect the equipment or they can view detailed equipment information on the Company's website at www.rbauction.com. All the equipment items will be sold to the highest bidders on auction day - regardless of price. There are no minimum bids and no reserve prices for the items being sold. Bids can be made in person at the North East auction site, online in real time at www.rbauction.com or by proxy.

United Rentals owns more than 200,000 items of equipment and replaces items when they reach a certain age. The company has sold equipment at Ritchie Bros. auctions for more than 14 years, and this is the first time it is holding an exclusive one-owner sale and their equipment won't be sold with other owners' equipment. "We choose to sell with Ritchie Bros. because they are the best in the auction business," said Kevin Parr, Eastern Regional Vice President for United Rentals.

"We have a very sophisticated schedule of preventative maintenance that is second to none," continued Mr. Parr. "Most of the equipment in this auction is not even half-life; there is a nice blend of equipment across many equipment categories. The fact that the equipment is spread out over six locations is a benefit to local buyers as well - they won't need to travel very far to test and compare equipment."

"We're pleased to be able to offer a turn-key solution for United Rentals that will help them maximize return in a short period of time," said Rob Blackadar, Divisional Manager, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. "With the items at six locations, our international buying customers can bid online and benefit from our new services, including the detailed equipment information and zoomable photographs on our website, as well as our online transportation service. With the convenience of our online bidding and the reputation of United Rentals and their great maintenance program, people will be able to bid with confidence on auction day knowing they have all the information they need at their fingertips."

The equipment being sold for United Rentals includes: hydraulic excavators, crawler tractors, loader backhoes, skid steer loaders, boom lifts, scissor lifts, forklifts, smooth drum rollers, and many more equipment types. Detailed equipment information, including multiple high-resolution photos of each item and where each item is located, can be viewed at www.rbauction.com/unitedrentals

The auction in North East will be a Virtual Ramp auction, meaning the equipment items will be displayed on a large screen in front of the crowd while they are bidding on each item. Select items will also be sold in a Timed Auction format.

Equipment being sold in this auction is available for inspection - and pick-up after purchase - at these six locations:

Ritchie Bros. North East, MD auction site (75+ equipment items, including skid steer loaders, boom lifts, scissorlifts, telescopic forklifts, and more): 3201 West Pulaski Highway, North East, MD Tel: 410-287-4330, M-F 8am-5pm