PLEASANTON, Calif. and EAGAN, Minn. (Dec. 19, 2014)—IronPlanet, an online marketplace for buying and selling used heavy equipment and trucks, and Associated Auction Services LLC, an alliance of Caterpillar and several of its independent Cat dealers that operates under the name of Cat Auction Services, confirmed today that they have signed an agreement to merge the two companies. Once combined, IronPlanet and Cat Auction Services will provide buyers and sellers of used heavy construction equipment a unique auction experience, backed by technology, services and equipment expertise unmatched in the industry. “I am very excited about the combination of IronPlanet and Cat Auction Services, two trusted partners in helping buyers and sellers with their used heavy equipment acquisition and disposition needs,” said Gregory J. Owens, IronPlanet chairman and CEO. “The power of IronPlanet’s technology, multiple marketplace formats and global buyer base coupled with Cat Auction Services’ live, on-site auction format and deep equipment expertise will provide the most powerful and complete suite of auction remarketing tools in the industry.” “Cat Auction Services was started in 2008 to give Cat dealers another distribution channel for used equipment sales, as well as to keep our customers connected with the Caterpillar family of products and dealerships,” said William L. Hoeft, chairman of Cat Auction Services. “We are pleased to have reached this agreement as the merger will capitalize on both companies’ strengths.” IronPlanet and Cat Auction Services together will provide an integrated platform that is the most comprehensive in the industry:
- Innovative Auction and Remarketing Solutions – Customers will have access to the broadest range of marketplaces for asset disposal and acquisition that include both online and onsite auction formats, as well as multiple timing and pricing options.
- A Global, Integrated Market – Cat Auction Services’ strong customer relationships coupled with IronPlanet’s global customer base, including IronPlanet’s over one million registered users, will provide unique buying and selling advantages for customers anywhere in the world.
- Value and Convenience for Customers – IronPlanet’s and Cat Auction Services’ innovative live and online auctions will be backed by a full range of support services to provide a better, more flexible customer experience. Buyers will benefit from equipment protection plans and equipment financing, as well as IronPlanet’s exclusive IronClad Assurance buyer protection program, which assures them that they have an accurate representation of equipment condition. For sellers, the combined company will provide ease, reliability and security, handling transactions from qualifying buyers to coordinating equipment removal.
