Industrial Machinery & Equipment Auctions
Conduct auctions for industrial machinery, tools, and manufacturing equipment
Overview
Industrial auctioneers charge 10-20% buyer's premium plus 5-10% seller commission on heavy equipment.
Conducting 6-15 industrial auctions annually generates $150,000-$900,000 annually with 75-85% margins.
In 2025, manufacturing plant closings, bankruptcies, and equipment turnover create auction opportunities.
Auction CNC machines, metalworking equipment, woodworking machinery, printing equipment, packaging equipment, and complete plant dispersals.
Successful industrial auctioneers understand manufacturing equipment and values, work with bankruptcy trustees and plant closings, attract dealer and user bidders, handle heavy equipment logistics, and conduct professional industrial auctions.
Complete plant liquidations especially lucrative ($100,000-$1,000,000+ in sales).
Marketing through manufacturing industry, equipment dealers, bankruptcy attorneys, and industrial publications.
Required Skills
- Industrial Equipment Knowledge
- Manufacturing Industry
- Equipment Valuation
- Logistics
- B2B Marketing
- Auctioneering
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-value equipment auctions
- Complete plant dispersals very lucrative
- Manufacturing closings provide supply
- Specialized knowledge creates barriers
- Equipment dealers serious buyers
Cons
- Need industrial equipment expertise
- Heavy equipment logistics challenging
- Irregular auction schedule
- Competition from large industrial auctioneers
- Economic cycle dependent
How to Get Started
- Learn industrial equipment and values
- Get auctioneer license
- Build equipment dealer network
- Develop bankruptcy trustee relationships
- Handle heavy equipment logistics
- Market through manufacturing industry
- Build reputation for industrial expertise
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