Shauna McKenna of Euro Auctions

A Northern Irish company that auctions construction plant and industrial equipment has announced it is to expand into Australia.

Euro Auctions has announced several key staff appointments to manage the opening and ongoing operation of its new site in Pinkenba, Queensland. The company plans to hold its first auction on March 7.

The new Euro Auctions site will include a main standing area where machinery will be displayed before it’s sold, an auction theatre, a customer reception facility, administration facilities, on‑site catering, and transportation ‘load’ and ‘unload’ areas.

Euro Auctions says it is employing Irish staff in Brisbane, as well as expats from Ireland that are to travel to Brisbane for the first sale.

Euro Auctions says shipping agents, hauliers, customs brokers, transporters and technicians are working with the company to help identify qualified Irish staff for their own businesses.

The company says it is employing Irish crews for all groundworks and building works at the new site. Irish electrical contractors have been retained to do all service connections and will be used for all electrical work in the build up and at the actual auction.

Euro Auctions says it has also had queries Australian construction and mining companies to help them source good Irish staff.

Staff from shipping agents and customs brokers such as NMT Logistics and Harte’s Quarantine, are employing from the Irish community.

The company said it would also use self-employed Irish mechanics to help with machine preparation for the auction, guys who are already familiar with Euro Auctions and who have done work for us in Ireland and the UK.

Shauna McKenna has been appointed project manager for Euro Auctions in Brisbane and will be based locally. Joe Rafferty, who will be based in the company’s headquarters in Dromore, Northern Ireland, has been appointed country manager.

“We are putting an excellent team in place to manage and grow our activities in Australia and both Shauna and Joe are both eager to succeed and will make significant contributions to the business,” stated Jonnie Keys, General Manager at Euro Auctions.

“Euro Auctions has a strong international seller and buyer base, with an existing contingency of customers in the Far East who consign to other Euro Auctions sales and will consign to the new auction facility in Brisbane.”

The company says its decision to expand was driven by increased demand for equipment, plant and machinery from Australia and surrounding regions – partly due to demand from the Far East for raw materials, with much interest coming from China.