Blake continued: “As we begin 2011 we see many signs of the used equipment market returning to a more balanced state. Equipment owners are more optimistic, OEM production is increasing to satisfy growing demand, and pricing has improved on most equipment categories.

“There is a lot of cash waiting to be deployed in the economy, and some of that capital is likely to be invested in equipment. Although competition is intense, these are all positive signs for our ability to grow our business in 2011. We have ample capacity in our network, a well-trained and highly motivated team, and as a result of our actions over the last several years and an updated strategic plan, we are well positioned to capitalize on the growing momentum in our industry. The success of our early auctions in 2011 and the flow of consignments for upcoming auctions provide clues to a return to brighter days ahead as we set about to offer compelling business solutions to enable the world’s builders to easily and confidently exchange equipment.”

Definitions of non-GAAP measures

The company defines adjusted net earnings as financial statement net earnings, excluding the after-tax effects of excess property sales and significant foreign exchange gains or losses resulting from financing activities that are not expected to recur, and has provided a reconciliation below. Adjusted net earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have a standardized meaning and is, therefore, unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The company believes that comparing adjusted net earnings for different financial periods provides more useful information about the growth or decline of its net earnings for the relevant financial period and identifies the impact of items which the company does not consider to be part of its normal operating results.

Gross auction proceeds represent the total proceeds from all items sold at Ritchie Bros. auctions. The company’s definition of gross auction proceeds may differ from those used by other participants in its industry. Gross auction proceeds is an important measure the company uses in comparing and assessing its operating performance. It is not a measure of the company’s financial performance, liquidity, or revenue and is not presented in its consolidated financial statements. The company believes that auction revenues, which is the most directly comparable measure in its statements of operations, and certain other line items are best understood by considering their relationship to gross auction proceeds. Auction revenues represent the revenues earned by Ritchie Bros. in the course of conducting its auctions and consist primarily of commissions earned on consigned equipment and net profit on the sale of equipment purchased by the company and sold in the same manner as consigned equipment.