Ritchie Bros. conducts largest Spain and Quebec auctions in company history

High bidder turnout and strong pricing in evidence despite current market conditions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 16, 2009

VANCOUVER, B.C. (March 16, 2009) – Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world’s largest industrial auctioneer, attracted thousands of on-site and online bidders to the largest Spain and Quebec auctions in company history last week. Ritchie Bros. sold €33 million (US$43 million) of equipment over three days at its Moncofa, Spain auction site (March 11 – 13, 2009) and CA$31 million (US$25 million) worth over two days at its permanent auction site in Montreal, Quebec (March 12 & 13). Both auctions set a range of site records, including:..more at rbauction.com