建筑设备拍卖师里奇兄弟（Ritchie Bros.）表示，在3月17日至18日在美国和法国举行的拍卖中，过去一周的建筑设备竞标数量创下了创纪录的竞标数量。尽管由于冠状病毒大流行，但这种大量的重铁仍在移动。

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The company reported 5,800 bidders at an online-only auction in Columbus, Ohio, and 6,400 bidders at an auction in Sacramento, Calif., while a timed auction in St. Aubin sur Gaillon, France drew 1,900 registered bidders. Ritchie Bros. has logged increased online traffic to its auctions year-over-year, and expects the share of web-based bidding to only increase as the COVID-19 pandemic slows business travel and gatherings.

The company announced March 16 that it is making several key changes to shift to more online-only auctions, but says it will still use real auctioneers on-site. In a press statement, Ann Fandozzi, CEO of Ritchie Bros., said the safety of their employees and customers is their top priority. "Right now, we are limiting or eliminating onsite attendance in accordance with local restrictions and promoting online participation," she said.

The steady demand for heavy iron tracks other trends seen in the global equipment market，狂热齐（Fandozzi）由于大流行而几乎没有下降的价格或体积。她说：“现在对设备的需求很高 - 正如我们在最近的所有事件中看到的强大定价所见证的。通过在线招标技术，我们可以保持市场的发展，同时确保人们的安全。”

由于大流行而对工作实践的调整可能只会加速转向已经正在进行的重型设备的在线竞标。根据里奇兄弟（Ritchie Bros.）的说法，在网上进行了78％的获胜竞标，该竞标是在线进行的，该公司继续扩大其仅在线拍卖的子公司Ironplanet。

Even through the CONEXPO-CON/AGG equipment trade show in Las Vegas was cut short last week, Ritchie Bros. still managed to auction off 2,750 pieces of equipment for a total value of over $44 million. The auction saw more than 6,800 bidders from 55 countries, including 5,800 online bidders. CONEXPO attendees were also able to bid online during the show using the Ritchie Bros. app.