Interview with Arno Hendrikse (Commercial Director of TBAuctions), in collaboration with European Business Magazine
From heavy machinery and industrial equipment to complete business inventories: TBAuctions has developed into the largest digital B2B auction platform in Europe. By leveraging technology and data-driven insights, the company connects buyers and sellers across borders, making transactions involving industrial assets more efficient, transparent, and scalable. In this interview, Arno Hendrikse, Commercial Director for the Benelux and the United Kingdom, explains how digitalization, sustainability, and a changing auction landscape shape the company’s growth strategy. He shares his insights into the business model, market leadership, and future visions of TBAuctions.
European Business: Arno, TBAuctions is known as the largest B2B digital auction platform in Europe. Can you give us an overview of the company’s history?
Arno Hendrikse: TBAuctions was created in 2018 from the merger of Troostwijk Auctions and BVA Auctions. Troostwijk Auctions was founded in the Netherlands in 1930 and went online in 2006. Since then, the company has grown significantly through acquisitions and has become a key player in the European auction market. We are now active in 16 countries with a total of 9 brands, including Troostwijk Auctions, Surplex, and Klaravik. Since 2021, the company has been owned by Castik Capital and supported by Summa Equity, which has contributed to our strategic growth.
European Business: You have been with the company for a few years. How has your career at TBAuctions evolved?
Arno Hendrikse: I joined the company in 2017 as General Manager for the Netherlands. Initially, I managed the valuation and advisory division of Troostwijk Auctions. Over time, I took on more responsibilities, including overseeing sales and integrating BVA Auctions into the group. Since 2024, I have been Commercial Director responsible for the Benelux and the UK markets. This year, we switched to a regional structure: Europe is now divided into three regions — Benelux & UK, Continental Europe, and Scandinavia. This structure enables us to better respond to local market needs.
European Business: What sectors and products does TBAuctions’ portfolio include?
Arno Hendrikse: Our portfolio consists of industrial equipment, heavy machinery, logistics equipment, vehicles, and machinery for metal, wood, food, and plastics processing. Our largest verticals are heavy equipment, logistics, and industrial machinery. These categories include tractors, cranes, forklifts, and specialized production machines. We use predictive algorithms to estimate the value of a lot, but ultimately the market determines the price. Our commission-based model ensures we always aim for the highest possible auction results.
European Business: How does TBAuctions attract customers and sellers?
Arno Hendrikse: Each European country has a dedicated sales team actively seeking sellers. We use networks, advertising, and referrals to grow our customer base. Buyers and sellers are connected through our own platform, Atlas, which we developed to optimize transactions. Over the years, we have acquired multiple companies to strengthen our market position. A significant percentage of our transactions are cross-border, enabling buyers and sellers to access international markets more efficiently.
European Business: What role does digitalization play at TBAuctions?
Arno Hendrikse: We are a fully digital auction platform. Since 2006, all of our auctions have been conducted online, making the process faster, more efficient, and scalable. Integrating the databases of buyers and sellers from different brands has significantly increased transaction volume. By using AI and data-driven insights, we optimize auction results and ensure smooth transactions.
European Business: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important. How does TBAuctions contribute?
Arno Hendrikse: Our company inherently supports the circular economy by extending the lifecycle of machinery. Many companies and governments use our platform as part of their sustainability strategies. By enabling the reuse of industrial assets, we contribute to reducing waste and lowering the carbon footprint. Auctions provide a direct and efficient way to give machines a second life, which is increasingly important as businesses focus more on sustainability.
European Business: What are the key factors behind TBAuctions’ success?
Arno Hendrikse: The success of our platform is due to the large number of buyers and sellers we connect daily. With more than 1,200 employees, we have built an extensive network across Europe. Our business model is scalable, allowing us to handle both large industrial auctions and single-item transactions. We continuously invest in M&A strategies and organic growth, enabling us to expand while maintaining high service quality.
European Business: What are TBAuctions’ future goals?
Arno Hendrikse: We have a growth strategy for the next three years. Our focus is shifting from acquisitions to organic growth, strengthening our market position and improving transaction efficiency. We aim to become the first choice for companies looking to buy or sell used machinery. We are confident we can achieve this by continuously improving our digital infrastructure and expanding our customer base.
TBAuctions’ digital-first approach, with innovation at its core, optimizes every step of the auction process and creates a dynamic and scalable ecosystem for buyers and sellers.
Precision, reliability, and efficiency in machinery auctions — TBAuctions connects buyers and sellers across various industries, ensuring high-quality industrial equipment transactions.
We offer a streamlined platform for global auctions of industrial assets: from powerful construction machinery to high-tech woodworking tools.