Ritchie Bros. Acquires Blackmon Auctions, Expanding Auction Reach in Arkansas

Ritchie Bros. has announced that Blackmon Auctions, an Arkansas-based auction company operating since 1938, has officially joined the Ritchie Bros. organization.

The acquisition brings together two companies with longstanding histories in the auction industry. Blackmon Auctions, headquartered in Arkansas, has operated as a family-owned business for three generations and has built a presence in equipment and rail-sector auctions.

According to the announcement, Blackmon Auctions will continue operating with a focus on the customer relationships and service approach that have defined the business over the decades, while gaining access to the broader resources and buyer network of Ritchie Bros.

Thomas Blackmon Jr., owner of Blackmon Auctions, said the decision followed research into Ritchie Bros.’ history and company values.

“When I started doing research on the founding of Ritchie Bros. and the ideas behind it, I saw a heavy importance on friendship and taking care of the customer,” Thomas explains. “I realized this company seems huge, but it’s actually very customer-oriented. I realized I was walking into what I wanted to become anyway.”

Founded in 1938, Blackmon Auctions began as a livestock auction business before expanding over the decades. Thomas Blackmon said the company evolved alongside industry changes, including the transition from traditional in-person auctions to digital platforms and online bidding.

“It’s always been a company where if you need to talk to the owner, you pick up the phone and call,” Thomas says.

Ritchie Bros. representatives said the addition of Blackmon Auctions expands its presence in the South Central U.S. region and gives customers another location for buying and selling equipment.

Casey Fencl, vice president of sales for the South Central U.S. at Ritchie Bros., said the partnership aligns with both companies’ customer-focused approaches.

“When it came to Blackmon, it was really about the legacy. That ‘customer-first, do-the-right-thing’ culture that Dave Ritchie instilled early on aligns quite well with what Blackmon has built. From the moment we met, I knew it was a natural fit because we are like-minded people driven to succeed.”

According to Ritchie Bros., customers in Arkansas and surrounding regions may benefit from expanded local auction access, while Blackmon customers will gain access to Ritchie Bros.’ global buyer network and online marketplace options.

Fencl said the partnership creates additional opportunities for sellers in the region.

“This creates an opportunity to sell stuff out of the yard in Arkansas,” says Casey. “It gives them a local option to get the same Ritchie Bros. experience right in their backyard.”

The companies also said Blackmon customers will have access to Ritchie Bros.’ broader online marketplace.

“The marketplace is something we were never able to offer our customers,” Casey notes. “It’s a chance to put something on the market, test it and see the interest before it goes to auction.”

Blackmon said the partnership reflects shared priorities around customer service and long-term relationships.

“There would be a mutual respect. I grew up with my dad competing in the Dallas area with Ritchie Bros. when Dave Ritchie was still shaking hands and seeing everyone at the steakhouse. Dave’s legacy is still very much alive here: if you can create a friend out of a customer, you’ve created a customer for life. That fits the Blackmon mold perfectly.”

Ritchie Bros. said the partnership is intended to expand service offerings while maintaining Blackmon Auctions’ regional presence and customer relationships.