Düsseldorf-based Surplex GmbH is an industrial auction house specializing in trading in second-hand machinery. The company buys and sells used machinery and industrial equipment worldwide, carries out online auctions and offers appraisals and valuations.[1]

Surplex GmbH
IndustryUsed machinery trade
Founded1999
HeadquartersDüsseldorf, Germany
Area served
International
Key people
Michael Werker, Ulrich Stalter
Websitewww.surplex.com

History

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Foundation

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Surplex.com AG was founded by the brothers Bruno and Florian Schick at the end of 1999 as a start-up company of the Dotcom-era.[2] International venture capital consortia such as the Carlyle Group[3] or the French Vivendi Group awarded a total of around EUR 50 million. Prominent private investors, such as Lars Schlecker, Lars Windhorst, Marc Schrempp or Fiat president Paolo Fresco also invested in Surplex.[4]

Surplex's B2B platform was named the best platform by Forrester Research in 2001.[5]

Crisis (2001–2003)

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With the bursting of the Dot-com bubble, Surplex.com AG also fell into a severe crisis. Branches were closed, the company headquarters were moved back from Berlin to Düsseldorf and most of the 140 jobs were cut.[6] In March 2003, the management was taken over by Michael Werker, who had come to Surplex from the traditional mechanical engineering group Deutz.[7]

Consolidation (2004–2009)

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Between 2004 and 2009, the auction platform surplex.com was steadily developed. Since then Surplex has conducted large industrial auctions, e.g. for Linde, ABB, ThyssenKrupp and Bayer.[8]

Internationalisation (since 2010)

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Today, Surplex has offices in 13 European countries (as of November 2020), including Spain, France and the UK.[9] In 2020, the auction platform became the centre of business in 16 languages. Every year, more than 55,000 industrial assets are auctioned off in over 500 auctions. These assets usually originate from company closures, restructurings or insolvencies.

Since summer 2020, Ghislaine Duijmelings has been leading the company as its third managing director, alongside Michael Werker and Ulrich Stalter.[10] In August 2024, Surplex was acquired by TBAuctions, a European multi-brand group (Troostwijk Auctions, Klaravik, Surplex, Auksjonen, PS Auctions, British Medical Auctions, Vavato and Auktionshuset dab) and digital B2B auction platform.[11]

Products/Services

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The company's industrial goods usually come from plant closures, restructurings or insolvencies.[12] Surplex offers direct sales as well as all offline services needed to trade used machinery globally. These include dismantling, loading and customs clearance.[13] Under the brand name Valuplex, Surplex provides appraisals and valuations. [14]

References

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  1. ^ "Surplex Industry Auctions". Surplex.com. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  2. ^ Susanne Ziegert (2000-06-14). "Alte Industrie verdient im neuen Medium". Die Welt (in German). Welt.de. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  3. ^ "b-business Partners: Surplex Raises 30 Million Euro". Thefreelibrary.com. 2000-12-14. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  4. ^ "Surplex.com AG, 36 Mio. Venture Capital". Press1.de. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  5. ^ "Forrester Research". Golem.com. 2000-12-14. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  6. ^ "Rote Karte für die Pink-Slip-Party" (in German). heise.de. 2001-05-01. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  7. ^ "Personalien" (in German). Industrieanzeiger.de. 2003-06-16. Archived from the original on 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  8. ^ accessed on 5. October 2007 Archived March 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ "Surplex Industry Auctions". Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  10. ^ "The industry auction house Surplex is now managed by the team of three!". Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  11. ^ https://www.mynewsdesk.com/de/surplex/pressreleases/surplex-and-tbauctions-join-forces-to-expand-the-continental-european-market-3336591
  12. ^ "Insolvency services at Surplex - who offers more?". Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  13. ^ "Services by Surplex GmbH | Surplex". www.surplex.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  14. ^ "VALUPLEX". Retrieved 2021-04-22.