11.02.2007

Haulotte donation tops bidding

The first ever live auction at the ARA convention and Rental show, sponsored by Ritchie Bros auctioneers, raised more than $80,000 for the ARA Foundation.

The item achieving the highest bid was the Optimum 19 scissor lift donated by Haulotte. Michael Sutliff of The Rental Place, Sebastopol, California was the winning bidder.

“For the first time out, I thought it was fabulous,” said Bill Pedersen, ARA foundation chairman. “Obviously, the associate members really stepped up to the plate, but the rental operators did, too. It’ll be bigger and better next year.”

Denis Prevost, vice president of major accounts for Ritchie Bros, said “Next year, we’re looking to have more manufacturers participate. We are proud to have been a part of this because it’s a very, very worthy cause.”

All proceeds from the auction along with a separate silent auction go towards the ARA Foundation to help fund the scholarship program, the rental executive advisory program and the disaster relief fund.