2011 Full Year Market Outlook

Demand in the agricultural and construction equipment markets are expected to remain firm for the balance of 2011 on the back of a positive environment in agricultural commodity prices and its influence on increased planting and farming income estimates; and a steadily improving environment in construction equipment.

FY 2011 World Wide Unit Growth Forecast

Agricultural equipment demand flat to up 5%

Construction equipment demand up 25%

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Speedy, the UK’s leading provider of equipment rental and support services, has secured a new two year sole supply framework agreement with Tesco plc, the UK’s largest and one of the world’s leading retailers.

Speedy will now supply all of Tesco’s supply chain contractors in the UK and Ireland working on its refurbishment, and build programmes for all new and existing stores throughout 2011 and 2012.

Speedy and Tesco estimate the value of the agreement to be worth £12 million over the two year period.

The sole supply agreement includes the full range of Speedy products including Small Tools, Building Equipment and General Plant as well as specific products such as Powered Access, which will be provided through Speedy’s national depot network.

Tesco has also awarded Speedy its Platinum supplier status, placing the support services business among its leading contractors.

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Heathrow Airport has become the first company to purchase hydrogen generator units from h2gogo, following successful trials of the innovative vehicle emissions reduction technology.

As a result of installing these units, the airport’s airside vehicles will enjoy longer lifespans and produce fewer emissions, helping to meet tough targets.

The UK’s hub airport has long been focused on reducing airside vehicle emissions to meet strict internal and Government targets for cleaner air, and the airside team investigated a number of different technologies to help them achieve that. One such innovation was the award-winning HRN3 hydrogen generator unit from h2gogo. The unit can be retro-fitted on any vehicle (or static machine) with a diesel or petrol engine. The unit ensures a cleaner burn of the fuel, resulting in lower carbon and other emissions, increased power output and the potential for additional fuel and cost savings.

From the wide range of vehicles within Heathrow’s fleet, including dust carts, sweepers, service vehicles and minibuses, a Mercedes 2009 stop/start dust cart was selected for the trial.

With a 24 volt HRN3 unit fitted to its diesel engine, the vehicle undertook normal duties in airside rubbish collection and loading over a six week period, during which impressive emission reduction figures were achieved.

The trial readings have proven a reduction of up to 40% in carbon dioxide, particulates, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons which exceeded the levels of emission reduction Heathrow required to achieve strict company, industry and government targets.

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Following trials of an exciting new fuel technology, Grundon Waste Management has achieved impressive emission reduction results of up to 40% in a cross section of its waste collection vehicle fleet.

The technology on trial was the h2gogo HRN3 Hydrogen Generator, a retro-fit product suitable for any petrol or diesel engine which produces hydrogen on demand to allow a more efficient fuel burn, resulting in reduced emissions and improved engine efficiency and power output.

The units were fitted to three of Grundon’s vehicle fleet and included a trade waste collection vehicle with automatic transmission, a Rolonof truck featuring a different engine and manual transmission, as well as a tractor unit with automated manual transmission pulling a powder tank of up to 44 tonnes. The units were all trialled under typical operational conditions over a six week period. Throughout the trial period, the vehicles achieved a reduction in CO2, HC and NOx emissions of up to 40%.

Following the trials Stephen Townsend, Grundon’s Group Fleet Engineer commented, “We are continually looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact of our commercial vehicle fleet and have been impressed with the h2gogo technology from the outset. Performance expectations have been exceeded and the technology has proven without doubt that we can benefit from long term emissions reduction across our vehicle fleet.”

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Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. announces that its subsidiary Kobelco Construction Equipment India Pvt. Ltd. (KCEI) has commenced production of hydraulic excavators in Andhra Pradesh state in southeastern India.

An opening ceremony was held yesterday to mark the milestone attended by  about 230 participants. Among the many participants were Busi Sam Bob, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Industries and Commerce, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Vikram Sharma, Managing Director & CEO of KCEI; dealers, vendors, and members of financial institutions. Japanese officials present were Masanori Nakano, Consul General of the Consulate General of Japan in Chennai; Tomoyuki Kaya, Executive Vice President of Kobe Steel; and Shigeto Kotani,

President & CEO of Kobelco Construction Machinery in Japan. “Three weeks ago, the first Kobelco excavator made in India was shipped from

this factory,” said Shigeto Kotani. “Our high quality machines are made to the

same exacting standards in Japan. They will undoubtedly contribute to improving the infrastructure of this great country.”

The new factory in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, was started up in January, 2011 and is now in full operation. With demand high for construction machinery in India, KCEI manufactures 20-tonne class excavators noted for their low fuel consumption. The factory has a production capacity of 1,200 machines per year.

The facility incorporates the same productivity improvement activities used in Japan. It aims to make competitive products utilizing its manufacturing capabilities.#

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More than 6,600 equipment items were sold for 900+ consignors in five Ritchie Bros. auctions across Europe and the Middle East
BREDA, THE NETHERLANDS (April 11, 2011) – Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world’s largest industrial auctioneer, attracted more than 4,200 bidder registrations from 86 countries at five separate unreserved equipment auctions held in Europe and the Middle East last month. In total, 6,600+ equipment items and trucks were sold for 900+ consignors at auctions held in Saint Aubin Sur Gaillon, France (March 8); Dubai, United Arab Emirates (March 8 – 9); Caorso, Italy (March 10); Ocaña, Spain (March 17 – 18); and Meppen, Germany (March 31).

“Our March auctions in Europe and the Middle East were exciting,” said Guylain Turgeon, Managing Director EMEA, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. “In Dubai, Caorso and Ocaña we set several new site records, including number of registered bidders and gross auction proceeds. These auctions featured large quantities of late model equipment and trucks, which attracted large numbers of bidders and allowed us to start strong in the region in 2011. We look forward to further helping our customers buy and sell equipment at upcoming auctions.”

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IronPlanet® (www.ironplanet.com), a leading online marketplace for used heavy equipment, will sell thousands of items including agricultural equipment, construction equipment, trucks, automobiles and powersports located around the world in its online auctions throughout April.

The April auctions feature equipment from many different sellers from around the world such as Black Canyon Aggregates located in Colorado, SCI Infrastructure located in Washington as well as other sellers.  IronPlanet’s April auction calendar includes:

April 6 – IronPlanet Motors (Autos and Powersports)

The auction features more than 80 items from across the U.S. including SUVs, ATVs, pickup trucks, motorcycles, RVs and cars from various manufacturers including Jeep, Lexus and Mercedes.

April 7 – Agricultural and Construction Equipment

More than 570 items across the U.S. are for sale from sellers such as Black Canyon Aggregates and others.  Equipment up for auction includes cranes, excavators, farm tractors and other equipment.

April 14 – Agricultural and Construction Equipment

The auction features more than 775 items located across the U.S. including aerial platforms, compactors, trucks and more.

April 20 – IronPlanet Motors (Autos and Powersports)

This auction will include Items from across the U.S. such as cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, motorcycles, travel trailers and ATVs.

April 21 – Agricultural and Construction Equipment

The auction features more than 530 items including a fleet reduction of SCI Infrastructure.  Items up for auction include crawler tractors, farm tractors, motor graders, track excavators and other equipment.

April 27 – Agricultural and Construction Equipment in Europe & the Middle East

Items from across Europe and the Middle East are up for sale including articulated dump trucks, cranes, farm tractors and other equipment.

April 28 – Agricultural and Construction Equipment

The auction features more than 540 items from across the U.S. including compact track loaders, cranes, farm tractors and more.

IronPlanet offers its Priority Bid service allowing users to place bids in advance of the auction.  On auction day, all items will be sold online to the highest bidder.  Buyers can attend the auctions from the comfort of their office or home, saving unnecessary travel expenses to view the items or visit the auction site.

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