In my view it is a combination of scale, trust, and execution rather than one single factor. Ritchie Bros built early liquidity through large unreserved auctions, which attracted serious buyers and created strong price discovery. Once that trust was established, it became a self reinforcing cycle for sellers.
What also sets them apart today is the broader RB Global ecosystem. Brands like IronPlanet, GovPlanet, Marketplace E, IAA, and Mascus let them serve different equipment types and selling models without forcing everything into one format. Add in logistics, financing, data, and digital tools, and they are not just an auction house anymore but a full transaction platform.