RB Global to Expand Presence with Acquisition of J.M. Wood Auction Co.

Rhea-AI Summary

RB Global (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire J.M. Wood Auction Co., with the deal expected to close in Q2 2025. The acquisition will expand RB Global's geographic presence in Alabama and adjacent states, particularly in commercial construction and transportation assets sectors.

J.M. Wood, founded in 1973 and headquartered in Montgomery, AL, brings expertise in municipal customers and will continue to operate from its current location. The Wood family and their sales team will join RB Global, maintaining their existing operations while gaining access to RB Global's technology, services, and resources.

Positive

• Geographic expansion into Alabama and adjacent states
• Access to J.M. Wood's established municipal customer base
• Addition of experienced sales team with strong local relationships
• Integration of J.M. Wood's expertise in commercial construction and transportation assets

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

RB Global's acquisition of J.M. Wood Auction represents a tactically sound geographic expansion move that strengthens the company's presence in the southeastern United States. The deal specifically enhances coverage in Alabama and adjacent states, where J.M. Wood has established a strong reputation since its founding in 1973.

While financial terms remain undisclosed, this acquisition appears strategically aligned with RB Global's growth objectives. The target company brings specialized expertise in commercial construction and transportation assets, along with deep relationships with municipal customers – potentially opening new revenue streams for RB Global.

The integration strategy shows prudent risk management. By maintaining J.M. Wood's existing operations and Montgomery headquarters for the foreseeable future, RB Global is taking a measured approach that preserves brand equity and customer relationships while minimizing operational disruption.

The companies cite cultural alignment and shared values as foundations for the deal, which typically correlates with more successful acquisition outcomes. The retention of the Wood family leadership team suggests a focus on preserving institutional knowledge and key relationships – critical factors in service businesses where personal connections drive success.

This acquisition appears consistent with horizontal integration strategies employed by market leaders looking to expand geographic reach and service capabilities through targeted acquisitions rather than organic growth alone. The expected Q2 2025 closing provides adequate time for integration planning and regulatory approval processes.

Auction Industry Expert

This acquisition strengthens RB Global's competitive position in the specialized equipment auction sector, particularly in the southeast region where J.M. Wood has cultivated strong municipal relationships and expertise in commercial construction and transportation assets.

J.M. Wood's half-century operational history and reputation for providing personalized auction experiences complements RB Global's scale and technological infrastructure. The Ritchie Bros. business unit within RB Global gains access to J.M. Wood's established customer base while offering technological capabilities that could enhance the acquired company's service offerings.

The decision to maintain J.M. Wood's operational independence reflects industry best practices for acquisitions in the auction sector, where local knowledge and relationships are paramount to success. This approach helps preserve customer loyalty while gradually implementing back-end efficiencies.

For equipment sellers and buyers in the region, this acquisition likely means access to broader inventory and potentially enhanced services through RB Global's technology platform, while maintaining familiar relationships with the J.M. Wood team. The specialized expertise in municipal customers that J.M. Wood brings could help RB Global better penetrate government contract opportunities.

The auction industry continues to benefit from consolidation that combines local expertise with technological infrastructure and broader market reach. This transaction follows that pattern by joining J.M. Wood's regional strength with RB Global's more extensive resources and capabilities.

WESTCHESTER, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RB Global, Inc. (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) (“RB Global” or the “Company”), the trusted global partner for insights, services and transaction solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which RB Global will acquire J.M. Wood Auction Co., Inc. (“J.M. Wood”). We currently expect the acquisition to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including required regulatory clearances.

“Our shared values and culture align naturally, particularly in our commitment to putting our partners and customers first,” said Jim Kessler, Chief Executive Officer of RB Global. “This move enhances our geographic coverage in Alabama and adjacent states, and brings along the Wood family and their talented team of sales professionals with deep local relationships on board. Together, we are building on a strong foundation to better service our customers.”

J.M. Wood focuses on commercial construction and transportation assets, and has deep experience with municipal customers.

“We are excited about this new partnership with RB Global and the Ritchie Bros. team,” said Bryant Wood, President of J.M. Wood. “Ritchie Bros. has strong roots in the equipment industry, and they run their business just like we always have: by doing what we say. Our team is one of the strongest in the industry and we believe this collaboration will be exciting to witness. On behalf of the J.M. Wood family, we are honored to be able to continue this heritage alongside the Ritchie Bros. team for many years to come.”

“This endeavor is strategic for both J.M. Wood and Ritchie Bros.,” said Russ Wood, Vice President of J.M. Wood. “As part of RB Global, Ritchie Bros. offers J.M. Wood a greater footprint along with an infusion of technology, services and resources for our buyers and sellers. Our J.M. Wood team brings along incredibly deep industry knowledge and a hard-working family culture that is aligned with how Ritchie Bros. was founded.”

Founded in 1973, J.M. Wood has leveraged its culture of innovation and entrepreneurial thinking to build a strong reputation for providing a personal and professional auction experience for each of its customers. As an extension of that legacy, J.M. Wood will continue to operate as-is and maintain its headquarters in Montgomery, AL, for the foreseeable future.

About RB Global
RB Global, Inc. (NYSE: RBA) (TSX: RBA) is a leading, omnichannel marketplace and trusted provider of value-added insights, services and transaction solutions for buyers and sellers of commercial assets and vehicles worldwide. Through its global network of auction sites and digital platform, RB Global serves customers worldwide across a variety of asset classes, including automotive, construction, commercial transportation, government surplus, lifting and material handling, energy, mining and agriculture. The company’s end-to-end marketplace solutions include Ritchie Bros., IAA, Rouse Services, SmartEquip and VeriTread. For more information about RB Global, visit www.rbglobal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this release include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements herein include, in particular, statements relating to the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the anticipated impact of the acquisition on RB Global’s business and future financial and operating results, expansion and other value creation opportunities from the acquisition, future operating plans relating to the acquisition and other subjects of this release that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by such words as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “likely,” “generally,” “future,” “long-term,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. It is uncertain whether any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on the results of operations and financial condition of RB Global's common shares. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements and caution must be exercised in relying on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties relating to: our ability to drive shareholder value; potential growth and market opportunities; the level of participation in our auctions and the success of our online marketplaces; our ability to grow our businesses, acquire new customers, enhance our sector reach, drive geographic depth, and scale our operations; the impact of our initiatives, services, investments, and acquisitions on us and our customers; the acquisition or disposition of properties; potential future mergers and acquisitions; our ability to integrate acquisitions; our future capital expenditures and returns on those expenditures; our ability to add new business and information solutions, including, among others, our ability to maximize and integrate technology to enhance our existing services and support additional value-added service offerings; the supply trend of equipment and vehicles in the market and the anticipated price environment, as well as the resulting effect on our business and GTV; our compliance with laws, rules, regulations, and requirements that affect our business; effects of various economic, financial, industry, and market conditions or policies, including inflation, the supply and demand for property, equipment, or natural resources; the behavior of commercial assets and vehicle pricing; the relative percentage of GTV represented by straight commission or underwritten (guarantee and inventory) contracts, and its impact on revenues and profitability; our future capital expenditures and returns on those expenditures; the effect of any currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations on our results of operations; the effect of any tariffs on our results of operations; the grant and satisfaction of equity awards pursuant to our compensation plans; any future declaration and payment of dividends, including the tax treatment of any such dividends; financing available to us from our credit facilities or other sources, our ability to refinance borrowings, and the sufficiency of our working capital to meet our financial needs; our ability to satisfy our present operating requirements and fund future growth through existing working capital, credit facilities and debt; misappropriation of data or cybersecurity incidents; and, failure to comply with privacy and data protection laws. Other risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements are included in “Part I, Item 1A: Risk Factors”, and the section titled "Summary of Risk Factors", in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date hereof. While the list of factors presented here is considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Many of these risk factors are outside of our control, and as such, they involve risks which are not currently known that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied herein. RB Global does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances that exist after the date as of which the forward-looking statements were made, except as required by law.

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RB Global Contacts

Media Inquiries:

Val Alitovska | RB Global, Inc.

Director, Corporate Communications

(312) 505-9900

valitovska@rbglobal.com

Analyst Inquiries:

Sameer Rathod | RB Global, Inc.

VP, Investor Relations/Market Intelligence

(510) 381-7584

srathod@rbglobal.com

Source: RB Global

FAQ

When will RB Global (RBA) complete the acquisition of J.M. Wood Auction?

The acquisition is expected to complete in the second quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory clearances and customary closing conditions.

What geographical markets will RBA expand into with the J.M. Wood acquisition?

The acquisition will enhance RB Global's coverage in Alabama and adjacent states.

Will J.M. Wood continue operating independently after RBA's acquisition?

Yes, J.M. Wood will continue to operate as-is and maintain its headquarters in Montgomery, AL, for the foreseeable future.

What business segments will the J.M. Wood acquisition strengthen for RBA?

The acquisition will strengthen RB Global's presence in commercial construction and transportation assets, particularly with municipal customers.