In a coming together of two construction machinery giants, used equipment from the world’s largest manufacturer—Caterpillar—will be sold by the world’s largest equipment auctioneer—Ritchie Bros. The global strategic alliance dovetails with Ritchie Bros.’ agreement to purchase its major online competitor, IronPlanet, for $758.5 million.

伊利诺伊州皮奥里亚（Peoria）的Ironplanet Investor Caterpillar Inc.于8月29日宣布与不列颠哥伦比亚省温哥华Ritchie Bros. Auctioneeers的战略联盟协议，这家总部位于加拿大的公司将成为Caterpillar的首选全球与现场现场和在线拍卖的全球全球合作伙伴。卡特彼勒说，该协议将补充其现有的经销商渠道，并增强其交付的连接产品，以改善客户车队利用率。

“A key element of our digital strategy is connecting more products in our customers’ fleets, allowing us to help improve their productivity, increase safety and drive sustainability,” said Rob Charter, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for customer and dealer support, in a statement. “This alliance will ensure that more used equipment buyers have access to our best-in-class products, digital offerings and world-class customer support through the Cat dealer network.”

同时，里奇兄弟（Ritchie Bros.）宣布已达成一项协议，以收购总部位于加利福尼亚州的Pleasanton Ironplanet，这是基于Internet的设备拍卖业务的主要幸存者，其年度在线设备销售额为30亿美元。许多在线拍卖公司在本世纪初爆炸，是Ritchie Bros.当前在Ironplanet的投资者领导的传统铁拍卖公司的主要威胁，该公司最近已扩展到更广泛的范围在线拍卖类别, include Accel Partners, KPCB, Caterpillar and Volvo Construction Equipment.

The new strategic alliance between Ritchie Bros. and Caterpillar replaces and expands on existing agreements in place between Caterpillar, its dealers and IronPlanet. The deal will become effective when Ritchie Bros. completes its acquisition of IronPlanet, which is subject to regulatory clearances.

“Our marketing capabilities, unrivaled suite of technology and powerful multi-channel transactional platforms will add tremendous value and make us a trusted strategic partner to the Caterpillar family,” said Ravi Saligram, Ritchie Bros. chief executive officer of Ritchie Bros., in a statement.

This consolidation comes after both auctioneers have fought to preserve their footholds. For example, a Chinese equipment importer recentlyfiled an antitrust suitagainst Caterpillar, Komatsu and Volvo over a collapsed deal with IronPlanet. Prior to that, IronPlanet sued Ritchie Bros., claiming it caused a breach of contract by offering a更高的佣金率. Prior to the Internet explosion, Ritchie Bros. also bought a major competitor, U.S.-based auctioneer Forke Bros.

Ritchie Bros.和Caterpillar之间的战略联盟将有一个最初的五年任期。Ritchie Bros.完成了Ironplanet的收购后，将在猫拍卖服务品牌下的Caterpillar经销商所在地进行现场现场拍卖，并利用其他Ritchie Bros.在现场和在线品牌。