IronPlanet , the online auction company for used heavy equipment, has recently appointed Graeme McPherson as Managing Director of their Australian operation.
IronPlanet has been operating successfully in the US since 2000 and the launch in Australia marks its first international venture.
McPherson has been involved in the heavy equipment industry for 35 years and brings with him a wealth of experience and first-hand industry knowledge.
More recently, McPherson has been the principal of his own business consulting company which provided managerial, strategic and marketing programs to a variety of Australian companies.
Over the past year he has had extensive involvement with Australian online machinery auction company Auction Centre.
McPherson was previously employed as Westrac’s General Manager for Agriculture. Westrac is Caterpillar dealer for Western Australia, New South Wales and Northern China.
McPherson has a strong background in capital equipment, with extensive experience in agricultural and construction machinery.
“We are very pleased with Graeme’s appointment,” said Bill Coleman, COO of IronPlanet.
“He has quickly become part of the IronPlanet global team and we believe he will be the ideal person to take IronPlanet to the Australian market.”
McPherson believes that IronPlanet has a great deal to offer the Australian business community, particularly the mining and construction sectors.
The recent boom in these industries has created a high demand for heavy equipment, which McPherson believes that IronPlanet can meet.
“I am looking forward to establishing Iron Planet Australia as the primary online auction company for the capital equipment in Australia and Australasia,” says McPherson.
IronPlanet’s auctions attract registered bidders globally, including a significant number of Australians.
The degree of interest from Australia, and the high level of broadband uptake in the country were also motivating factors in the decision to launch here.
It is planned that the first Australian-based auction will take place in the last quarter of 2007.