UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

Form 6-K
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarter ended March 31, 2003

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated
6500 River Road
Richmond, BC, Canada
V6X 4G5
(604) 273 7564
(Address of principal executive offices)

[indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F]
Form 20-F                    Form 40-F   X 
[indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing information contained
in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to
rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934]
Yes                    No   X 

 

PART 1.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
      The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include all information and footnotes required by Canadian or United States generally accepted accounting principles for a complete set of annual financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (which consist only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the relevant periods have been made. Results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year or any other period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the summary of accounting policies and the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, a copy of which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These policies have been applied on a consistent basis.
2 

 
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

		Three months ended	
		March 31,	
			
		2003		2002	
					
Auction revenues	 	$	36,381	 	 	$	29,317	 	
Direct expenses	 	 	4,650	 	 	 	3,909	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	31,731	 	 	 	25,408	 	
Expenses:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Depreciation	 	 	2,646	 	 	 	1,951	 	
 	General and administrative	 	 	16,675	 	 	 	16,022	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	19,321	 	 	 	17,973	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Earnings from operations	 	 	12,410	 	 	 	7,435	 	
Other income (expenses):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Interest expense	 	 	(908	)	 	 	(935	)	
 	Other	 	 	283	 	 	 	12	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	(625	)	 	 	(923	)	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Earnings before income taxes	 	 	11,785	 	 	 	6,512	 	
Income taxes:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Current	 	 	2,756	 	 	 	617	 	
 	Future	 	 	235	 	 	 	532	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	2,991	 	 	 	1,149	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Net earnings	 	$	8,794	 	 	$	5,363	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Net earnings per share (in accordance with Canadian and United States GAAP):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Basic	 	$	0.52	 	 	$	0.32	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	Diluted	 	$	0.52	 	 	$	0.32	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
3 

 
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
		March 31		December 31	
		2003		2002	
					
		(unaudited)			
Assets	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current assets:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Cash and cash equivalents	 	$	136,694	 	 	$	62,222	 	
 	Accounts receivable	 	 	49,939	 	 	 	13,700	 	
 	Inventory	 	 	9,227	 	 	 	7,402	 	
 	Prepaid expenses and deposits	 	 	1,640	 	 	 	2,060	 	
 	Income taxes recoverable	 	 	778	 	 	 	2,485	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	198,278	 	 	 	87,869	 	
Capital assets (note 3)	 	 	200,542	 	 	 	193,490	 	
Funds committed for debt repayment (note 5)	 	 	16,714	 	 	 	13,000	 	
Other assets	 	 	452	 	 	 	421	 	
Goodwill	 	 	34,796	 	 	 	34,356	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	$	450,782	 	 	$	329,136	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current liabilities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Auction proceeds payable	 	$	136,241	 	 	$	17,360	 	
 	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	 	 	22,231	 	 	 	33,544	 	
 	Short-term debt (note 4)	 	 	2,487	 	 	 	2,758	 	
 	Current bank term loans (note 5)	 	 	8,786	 	 	 	8,764	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	169,745	 	 	 	62,426	 	
Bank term loans (note 5)	 	 	62,919	 	 	 	62,612	 	
Other liabilities	 	 	2,808	 	 	 	2,758	 	
Future income tax liability	 	 	2,164	 	 	 	1,966	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	237,636	 	 	 	129,762	 	
Shareholders’ equity	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Share capital (note 6)	 	 	69,888	 	 	 	69,499	 	
 	Additional paid-in capital	 	 	4,646	 	 	 	4,646	 	
 	Retained earnings	 	 	138,476	 	 	 	129,682	 	
 	Foreign currency translation adjustment	 	 	136	 	 	 	(4,453	)	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	213,146	 	 	 	199,374	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	$	450,782	 	 	$	329,136	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Contingencies (note 7)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4 

 
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
(unaudited)
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
								Foreign			
				Additional				Currency		Total	
		Share		Paid-in		Retained		Translation		Shareholders’	
		Capital		Capital		Earnings		Adjustment		Equity	
											
Balance, December 31, 2001	 	$	69,134	 	 	$	4,332	 	 	$	101,311	 	 	$	(8,844	)	 	$	165,933	 	
 	Net proceeds on stock options exercised	 	 	1	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1	 	
 	Net earnings	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,363	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,363	 	
 	Foreign currency translation adjustment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(192	)	 	 	(192	)	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Balance, March 31, 2002	 	 	69,135	 	 	 	4,332	 	 	 	106,674	 	 	 	(9,036	)	 	 	171,105	 	
 	Net proceeds on stock options exercised	 	 	319	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	319	 	
 	Net earnings	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	10,775	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	10,755	 	
 	Foreign currency translation adjustment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,788	 	 	 	4,788	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Balance June 30, 2002	 	 	69,454	 	 	 	4,332	 	 	 	117,449	 	 	 	(4,248	)	 	 	186,987	 	
 	Net proceeds on stock options exercised	 	 	45	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	45	 	
 	Net earnings	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,111	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,111	 	
 	Foreign currency translation adjustment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	(2,161	)	 	 	(2,161	)	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Balance September 30, 2002	 	 	69,499	 	 	 	4,332	 	 	 	118,560	 	 	 	(6,409	)	 	 	185,982	 	
 	Stock compensation tax adjustment	 	 	—	 	 	 	314	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	314	 	
 	Net earnings	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,122	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	11,122	 	
 	Foreign currency translation adjustment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,956	 	 	 	1,956	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Balance December 31, 2002	 	 	69,499	 	 	 	4,646	 	 	 	129,682	 	 	 	(4,453	)	 	 	199,374	 	
 	Net proceeds on stock options exercised	 	 	389	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	389	 	
 	Net earnings	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	8,794	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	8,794	 	
 	Foreign currency translation adjustment	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	4,589	 	 	 	4,589	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Balance March 31, 2003	 	$	69,888	 	 	$	4,646	 	 	$	138,476	 	 	$	136	 	 	$	213,146	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5 

 
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
(unaudited)

		Three months ended	
		March 31,	
			
		2003		2002	
					
Cash provided by (used in)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Net earnings	 	$	8,794	 	 	$	5,363	 	
 	Items not involving the use of cash:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Depreciation	 	 	2,646	 	 	 	1,951	 	
 	 	Future income taxes	 	 	198	 	 	 	532	 	
 	 	Net loss on disposition of capital assets	 	 	18	 	 	 	160	 	
 	Changes in non-cash working capital:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Accounts receivable	 	 	(36,239	)	 	 	(49,499	)	
 	 	Inventory	 	 	(1,825	)	 	 	(5,988	)	
 	 	Prepaid expenses and deposits	 	 	420	 	 	 	252	 	
 	 	Income taxes recoverable	 	 	1,707	 	 	 	90	 	
 	 	Auction proceeds payable	 	 	118,881	 	 	 	129,402	 	
 	 	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	 	 	(11,313	)	 	 	(350	)	
 	 	Other	 	 	(1,340	)	 	 	(49	)	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	81,947	 	 	 	81,864	 	
Investing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Capital asset additions	 	 	(4,945	)	 	 	(8,533	)	
 	Proceeds on disposition of capital assets	 	 	514	 	 	 	290	 	
 	Increase in other assets	 	 	(31	)	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	(4,462	)	 	 	(8,243	)	
Financing activities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Issuance of share capital	 	 	389	 	 	 	1	 	
 	Issuance of bank term loans	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,000	 	
 	Repayment of bank term loans	 	 	(611	)	 	 	(2,337	)	
 	Increase in other liabilities	 	 	50	 	 	 	—	 	
 	Decrease in short-term debt	 	 	(271	)	 	 	(1,055	)	
 	Increase in funds committed for debt repayment	 	 	(3,714	)	 	 	(3,714	)	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	(4,157	)	 	 	(2,105	)	
 	
Effect of foreign currency rates on cash and cash equivalents	 	 	1,144	 	 	 	(24	)	

Increase in cash and cash equivalents	 	 	74,472	 	 	 	71,492	 	
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	 	 	62,222	 	 	 	49,533	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	 	$	136,694	 	 	$	121,025	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Supplemental information:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Interest paid	 	$	1,238	 	 	$	1,268	 	
 	Income taxes paid	 	$	2,482	 	 	$	527	 	
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
6 

 

RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
March 31, 2003
(Information as at March 31, 2003 and for the three-month periods
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 is unaudited)
1.   Significant accounting policies:
(a) Basis of presentation
      These unaudited consolidated financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
      These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and are based on accounting principles and practices consistent with those used in the preparation of the annual financial statements. There are no material differences to these interim consolidated financial statements between generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in Canada and in the United States. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2002 audited consolidated financial statements.
(b) Comparative figures
      Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the presentation adopted in the current year.
2.   Seasonality of operations:
      The Company’s operations are both seasonal and event driven. Mid-December through mid-February and July through August are traditionally less active periods. Gross auction sales and therefore auction revenues tend to be highest during the second and fourth calendar quarters. The Company generally conducts more auctions during these quarters than during the first and third calendar quarters.
      In addition, the Company’s revenue is dependent upon the timing of such events as fleet upgrades and realignments, contractor retirements, and the completion of major projects, among other things. These events are not predictable and are usually unrelated to fiscal quarters, making quarter-to-quarter comparability difficult.
3.   Capital assets: 

				Accumulated		Net Book	
March 31, 2003		Cost		Depreciation		Value	
							
Buildings	 	$	103,936	 	 	$	11,417	 	 	$	92,519	 	
Land and improvements	 	 	90,614	 	 	 	2,752	 	 	 	87,862	 	
Land and buildings under development	 	 	1,403	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	1,403	 	
Automotive equipment	 	 	9,640	 	 	 	3,526	 	 	 	6,114	 	
Yard equipment	 	 	7,099	 	 	 	3,144	 	 	 	3,955	 	
Office equipment	 	 	5,187	 	 	 	2,667	 	 	 	2,520	 	
Computer equipment	 	 	3,687	 	 	 	1,568	 	 	 	2,119	 	
Computer software	 	 	6,612	 	 	 	3,293	 	 	 	3,319	 	
Leasehold improvements	 	 	1,231	 	 	 	500	 	 	 	731	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	$	229,409	 	 	$	28,867	 	 	$	200,542	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
7 

 
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
March 31, 2003
(Information as at March 31, 2003 and for the three-month periods
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 is unaudited)
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
				Accumulated		Net Book	
December 31, 2002		Cost		Depreciation		Value	
							
Buildings	 	$	96,377	 	 	$	10,234	 	 	$	86,143	 	
Land and improvements	 	 	87,265	 	 	 	2,539	 	 	 	84,726	 	
Land and buildings under development	 	 	5,001	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	5,001	 	
Automotive equipment	 	 	8,954	 	 	 	3,444	 	 	 	5,510	 	
Yard equipment	 	 	6,644	 	 	 	2,902	 	 	 	3,742	 	
Office equipment	 	 	4,874	 	 	 	2,492	 	 	 	2,382	 	
Computer equipment	 	 	3,463	 	 	 	1,397	 	 	 	2,066	 	
Computer software	 	 	5,766	 	 	 	2,613	 	 	 	3,153	 	
Leasehold improvements	 	 	1,207	 	 	 	440	 	 	 	767	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	$	219,551	 	 	$	26,061	 	 	$	193,490	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
      During the period ended March 31, 2003 interest of $93,000 (2002 — $410,000) was capitalized to the cost of land and buildings under development.
4.   Short-term debt:
      Short-term debt consists of draws on various lines of credit totalling $2,487,000 with a weighted average interest rate of 5.84%.
5.   Bank term loans: 

		March 31,		December 31,	
		2003		2002	
					
Term loans, unsecured, bearing interest between 7.10% and 7.21%, due in minimum annual instalments of $5 million ($1.75 million towards principal, $3.25 million towards a sinking fund), plus interest, with the final payment occurring in 2004	 	$	29,750	 	 	$	29,750	 	
Term loans, denominated in Canadian dollars, unsecured, bearing interest between 6.36% and 7.20%, due in monthly instalments of interest only, with the full amount of the principal due in 2004	 	 	10,220	 	 	 	9,509	 	
Term loans, unsecured, bearing interest between 2.60% and 7.91%, due in minimum annual instalments of $500,000 plus interest, with the final payments due in 2005	 	 	8,750	 	 	 	9,000	 	
Term loans, unsecured, bearing interest between 5.95% and 7.91%, due in minimum annual instalments of $2.9 million ($1.0 million towards principal, $1.9 million towards a sinking fund), with the final payments occurring in 2005 and 2006	 	 	18,000	 	 	 	18,250	 	
Term loans, denominated in Australian dollars, secured by deeds of trust on specific property, bearing interest between the Australian prime rate and 6.50%, due in quarterly instalments of AUD75,000, plus interest, with final payment occurring in 2008	 	 	1,028	 	 	 	999	 	
8 

 
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
March 31, 2003
(Information as at March 31, 2003 and for the three-month periods
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 is unaudited)
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
		March 31,		December 31,	
		2003		2002	
					
Term loan denominated in Euros, secured by deeds of trust on specific property, bearing interest at the Amsterdam Interbank Offered Rate plus 0.88%, due in quarterly instalments of EUR56,723 including interest, with the final payment occurring in 2013	 	 	3,957	 	 	 	3,868	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	 	71,705	 	 	 	71,376	 	
Current portion	 	 	8,786	 	 	 	8,764	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	$	62,919	 	 	$	62,612	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Funds committed for debt payment	 	 	16,714	 	 	 	13,000	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
 	 	$	46,205	 	 	$	49,612	 	

		
6.	Share capital:	

(a)	Shares issued	
 	 	 	 	 	 	
Issued and outstanding, December 31, 2002	 	 	16,809,332	 	
Common shares issued during the period ended March 31, 2003:	 	 	 	 	
 	For cash, pursuant to stock options exercised	 	 	18,584	 	
 	 	 		 	
Issued and outstanding, March 31, 2003	 	 	16,827,916	 	

		
(b)	Options	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
		Number of		Range of	
		Options		Exercise Price	
					
Outstanding, December 31, 2002	 	 	427,817	 	 	$	 0.10 - 38.625	 	
 	Granted	 	 	154,400	 	 	 	31.050	 	
 	Exercised	 	 	(18,584	)	 	 	 0.10 - 26.688	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Outstanding, March 31, 2003	 	 	563,633	 	 	$	 0.10 - 38.625	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Exercisable, March 31, 2003	 	 	383,233	 	 	$	 0.10 - 38.625	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
      The options outstanding at March 31, 2003 expire on dates ranging to January 30, 2013.

(c)	Net earnings per share	

		Three months ended March 31,	

		2003		2002	
					
		Income		Shares		Per share		Income		Shares		Per share	
		(numerator)		(denominator)		amount		(numerator)		(denominator)		amount	
													
Basic net earnings per share	 	$	8,794	 	 	 	16,819,447	 	 	$	0.52	 	 	$	5,363	 	 	 	16,771,866	 	 	$	0.32	 	
Effect of dilutive securities:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Share options	 	 	—	 	 	 	129,880	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	—	 	 	 	102,076	 	 	 	—	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Diluted net earnings per share	 	$	8,794	 	 	 	16,949,327	 	 	$	0.52	 	 	$	5,363	 	 	 	16,873,942	 	 	$	0.32	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
9 

 

RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
March 31, 2003
(Information as at March 31, 2003 and for the three-month periods
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 is unaudited)
      As at March 31, 2003, the Company had 10,000 stock options outstanding with an exercise price of $38.625. These options were not included in the computation of diluted net earnings per share because the options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the Company’s shares for the three months then ended.

(d)	Stock based compensation plan	
      The Company uses the intrinsic value method to account for employee stock-based compensation awards. This method did not result in any compensation expense for the periods ended March 31, 2003 or 2002. Had compensation expense for option grants made under the Company’s stock option plan for the three month periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 been recorded in accordance with the fair value method at the applicable grant dates, the Company’s net earnings for the quarterly periods would have been reduced as indicated by the pro forma amounts below: 

			
		Three months ended March 31,	

		2003		2002	

				Per share amount				Per share amount	
									
		Earnings		Basic		Diluted		Earnings		Basic		Diluted	
													
Net earnings:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	As reported	 	$	8,794	 	 	$	0.52	 	 	$	0.52	 	 	$	5,363	 	 	$	0.32	 	 	$	0.32	 	
 	Adjusted	 	 	8,446	 	 	 	0.50	 	 	 	0.50	 	 	 	5,210	 	 	 	0.31	 	 	 	0.31	 	
      The fair value of the option grants was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: 

		2003		2002	
					
Risk-free interest rate	 	 	3.1%	 	 	 	4.9%	 	
Dividend yield	 	 	0%	 	 	 	0%	 	
Expected lives	 	 	5 years	 	 	 	5 years	 	
Volatility	 	 	18.3%	 	 	 	27.0%	 	
      The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted in the quarter ended March 31, 2003 was $7.34 per option (2002 — $8.74). The fair value method requires that this amount be amortized over the relevant vesting periods of the underlying options.

7.	Contingencies:	
      In the normal course of its business, the Company will in certain situations guarantee to a consignor a minimum level of proceeds in connection with the sale at auction of that consignor’s equipment. At March 31, 2003 the Company had outstanding guarantees under contract totaling $21,711,000 (undiscounted and before estimated proceeds from sale at auction) for equipment to be sold prior to June 19, 2003. The Company has not recorded a liability with respect to these guarantees.
10 

 

RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States Dollars)
March 31, 2003
(Information as at March 31, 2003 and for the three-month periods
ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 is unaudited)

8.	Other:	
          Consolidated statements of comprehensive income 

			
		Three months ended	
		March 31,	
			
		2003		2002	
					
Net earnings in accordance with Canadian and United States GAAP	 	$	8,794	 	 	$	5,363	 	
Other comprehensive income (loss):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Foreign currency translation adjustment	 	 	4,589	 	 	 	(192	)	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
Comprehensive income in accordance with United States GAAP	 	$	13,383	 	 	$	5,171	 	
 	 	 		 	 	 		 	
11 

 

		
ITEM 2:	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	
Overview
      The following discussion summarizes significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results and financial condition of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (“Ritchie Bros.” or the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2002. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this document and those included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2002.
      The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada; there are no material measurement differences between those financial statements and the financial position and results of operations that would be reported under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Amounts discussed below are based on consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian accounting principles and are presented in United States dollars. The following discussion should also be read in conjunction with the disclosures below regarding forward-looking statements and risk factors.
      Ritchie Bros. is the world’s largest auctioneer of industrial equipment. At March 31, 2003, the Company operated from over 90 locations in more than 20 countries around the world. The Company sells, through unreserved public auctions, a broad range of equipment, including equipment used in the construction, transportation, mining, forestry, petroleum, marine and agricultural industries. Ritchie Bros.’ customers are primarily end users of equipment, such as contractors, and they also include equipment manufacturers, dealers, brokers and finance companies. The business is driven mainly by regular fleet upgrades and reconfigurations, as well as by the timing of the completion of major construction and other projects.
      Ritchie Bros. operates in the auction segment of the global industrial equipment marketplace, a market that continues to grow primarily as a result of the increasing, cumulative world supply of used equipment. The auction segment is highly fragmented and has grown over the last number of years; management believes that this growth will continue. The Company believes that it has several key strengths that will enable Ritchie Bros. to continue to attract an increasing number of consignors and bidders to its auctions. These strengths include, but are not limited to, the Company’s reputation for conducting fair auctions, the Company’s size and international scope of operations, and the Company’s in-depth experience in the marketplace.
      The unreserved auction process is one of the founding principles of the Company and, management believes, one of the Company’s significant competitive advantages. Unreserved means that there are no minimum prices for anything sold at a Ritchie Bros. auction — each item sells to the highest bidder on sale day. In addition, consignors (or their agents) are not allowed to bid on or buy back their own equipment.
      One of Ritchie Bros.’ primary goals is to grow its gross auction sales. The Company’s strategies for accomplishing this objective include, among others, continued development of markets and regions in which Ritchie Bros. already operates and expansion of the Company’s presence into new and emerging markets and regions, particularly within Europe and North America. The Company also intends to continue to work with equipment manufacturers to expand sales of unused equipment at its auctions and to promote the merits of the unreserved auction process in general.
      An example of the Company’s growth strategy is the extension of the business into related, complementary markets, such as agricultural equipment and marine equipment. This expansion is being accomplished in part by hiring sales personnel with experience in these markets.
      The Company is also using the Internet to enhance its business and service offerings and to extend further the geographic reach of its auctions (see discussion below). As well, the Company continues to develop its infrastructure in order to improve the productivity of its employees and enhance the service it provides to its customers.
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Sources of Revenue and Revenue Recognition
      A key indicator of the Company’s financial performance is gross auction sales, representing the total proceeds from all items sold at auction by Ritchie Bros. during the period. Gross auction sales is not a measure of revenue and is not presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Auction revenues represent the commissions and other fees earned by the Company related to items sold at auction. Certain other Statement of Operations line items are also best understood by considering their relationships to gross auction sales. Management believes that gross auction sales provide the most meaningful comparative measure of the Company’s relative performance between periods. In addition, the Company’s commission rates can fluctuate from period to period and are not necessarily indicative of Ritchie Bros.’ sales efforts during the period.
      Auction revenues are comprised of auction commissions, net profits on the sale of inventory, incidental interest income, handling fees on the sale of certain lots, and the recently introduced Internet Purchase Fee and Proxy Purchase Fee. All revenue is recognized when the auction sale is complete and the Company has determined that the auction proceeds are collectible.
      Auction commissions are comprised primarily of two main components. Straight commissions are the most common type of commission and are generated by the Company when it acts as agent for consignors and earns a pre-negotiated, fixed commission rate on the gross sales price of the consigned equipment at auction. On an annual basis, this type of sale has typically represented approximately three-quarters of the Company’s gross auction sales volume.
      In certain other cases, the Company guarantees minimum gross sales proceeds to the consignor and earns a commission based on the actual results of the auction, including a negotiated percentage of the sales proceeds, if any, in excess of the guaranteed amount. If the actual auction proceeds are less than the guaranteed amount, the Company’s commission is reduced and, if proceeds are sufficiently lower, the Company can incur a loss on the sale. Ritchie Bros. factors in a higher rate of commission on these sales to compensate for the increased risk assumed by the Company. The Company’s exposure from these guarantee contracts fluctuates over time, but guarantees are generally outstanding for less than 45 days and the combined exposure at any point in time from all outstanding guarantees is typically less than $30 million. Losses, if any, resulting from guarantee contracts are recorded in the period in which the relevant auction is held. Guarantee contracts have generally represented in the range of 20% of gross auction sales on an annual basis.
      Auction revenues also include the net profit or loss on the sale of inventory in cases where the Company acquires ownership to a piece of equipment for a short time prior to an auction sale. When purchased, this equipment is assigned to a specific auction sale and sold at that auction in the same manner as consigned equipment. During the period that the Company retains ownership, the cost of the equipment is recorded as inventory on the Balance Sheet. The net gain or loss on the sale is recorded as auction revenue. On an annual basis, sales of inventory have typically represented in the range of 5% of gross auction sales.
      The composition of auction revenues and the auction revenue rate are tied mainly to the nature of contracts entered into with consignors in any particular period and fluctuate from period to period. The choice by consignors between straight commission, guarantee, or outright purchase arrangements is dependent upon many factors including general economic conditions. As a result, the mix of contracts and the effective auction revenue rate in a quarter or year are not necessarily indicative of future performance.
      Beginning January 1, 2002, auction revenues include a handling fee, payable by the buyer, equal to 10% of the selling price on all lots sold for 2,500 or less in the currency of the auction. The impact of this fee on auction revenues and the Company’s auction revenue rate in any future period will depend on the quantity and the value of lots sold during that period.
      Beginning January 1, 2003, the Company implemented fees to recover some of the costs involved in running its proxy bidding service and the rbauctionBid-Live Internet bidding service. The Proxy Purchase Fee and the Internet Purchase Fee affect only buyers using these services. The fees are calculated as 2% of the selling price to a maximum of 500 per lot in the currency of the auction.
13 

 

      The Company’s gross auction sales and auction revenues are affected by the seasonal nature of the auction business. Gross auction sales and auction revenues tend to increase during the second and fourth calendar quarters, during which time the Company generally conducts more business than in the first and third calendar quarters.
      The Company’s gross auction sales and auction revenues are also affected on a period-to-period basis by the timing of major auctions. In newer markets where the Company is developing operations, the number and size of auctions and, as a result, the level of gross auction sales and auction revenues, are likely to vary more dramatically from period-to-period than in the Company’s established markets where the number, size and frequency of the Company’s auctions are more consistent. In addition, economies of scale are achieved as the Company’s operations in a region mature from conducting intermittent auctions, establishing a regional auction unit, and ultimately to developing a permanent auction site. Economies of scale are also achieved when the Company’s auctions increase in size.
      Because of these seasonal and period-to-period variations, management believes that the Company’s gross auction sales and auction revenues are best compared on an annual, rather than quarterly basis.
Developments in the First Quarter of 2003
      Ritchie Bros.’ primary goals for 2003 are to grow gross auction sales and net earnings, improve sales force productivity, and increase the customer base. Related goals include continued expansion into related markets and regions, and using the Internet and other technology to enhance the Company’s business.
      During the first quarter of 2003 the Company sold three of the largest catamaran high-speed ferries in the world. The auction generated gross auction sales of $13.7 million and established a new record for the highest value item ever sold at a Ritchie Bros. auction ($4.5 million each for two of the vessels).
      Also during the first quarter of 2003 the Company conducted its first ever sale in Greece, an indication of Ritchie Bros.’ continued expansion into new regions.
Critical Accounting Policies
      In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada, the Company’s management must make decisions that impact the reported amounts and related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, management applies judgments based on its understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances and historical experience. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates these judgments and estimates, including consideration of uncertainties relating to revenue recognition criteria, recoverability of capital assets and goodwill, and the assessment of possible contingent assets or liabilities that should be recognized or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts could differ materially from those estimated by management at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared.
      The following discussion of critical accounting policies is intended to supplement the Significant Accounting Policies presented as Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Note 1 summarizes the accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The policy discussed below is included here because it requires more significant judgments and estimates in the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements than other policies.
Valuation of Goodwill
      Management assesses the possible impairment of goodwill in accordance with standards issued by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants in Canada and the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the U.S. The standards stipulate that reporting entities with previously recorded goodwill cease amortizing goodwill commencing January 1, 2002. Instead, the carrying value of goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the reporting unit level using a two-step impairment test; if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, the test is conducted more frequently.
14 

 

      In the first step of the impairment test, the net book value of each reporting unit is compared with its fair value. The Company operates as a single reporting unit, which is the consolidated public company. As a result, the Company is able to refer to the stock market for a third party assessment of its fair value. As long as the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its net book value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired and the subsequent step of the impairment test is unnecessary. Changes in the market value of the Company’s stock may impact the assessment as to whether goodwill has been impaired. These changes may result from changes in Ritchie Bros.’ business plans or other factors that are outside management’s control. The Company performs the goodwill test each year as at September 30, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The test was conducted as at September 30, 2002 and the Company determined that no impairment had occurred.
Results of Operations
Quarter Ended March 31, 2003 Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2002
Auction Revenues
      Auction revenues grew to $36.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2003, an increase of $7.1 million or 24% compared to the prior year’s first quarter auction revenues of $29.3. The improvement is a result of higher gross auction sales in 2003, combined with a higher average auction revenue rate on those sales. Gross auction sales totaled $341.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, an increase of $48.3 million or 16% over the prior year comparative. The increase in 2003 is primarily a result of higher auction sales volume in Europe, the Middle East and Canada compared to 2002. The $13.7 million sale in March 2003 of three catamaran high-speed ferries in British Columbia contributed to the increased volume in Canada.
      During the first quarter of 2003, the Company experienced an auction revenue rate (auction revenues as a percentage of gross auction sales) of 10.65% compared to a rate of 10.00% in the first quarter of 2002. The improvement in 2003 can be attributed mainly to the above-average performance of the Company’s guarantee and inventory contracts.
      For the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the handling fee described above (see “Sources of Revenue and Revenue Recognition”) applied to approximately 4% of gross auction sales and generated auction revenues of approximately 0.40% of gross auction sales, consistent with the Company’s experience in 2002. At the end of 2002 the Company estimated that this fee would increase auction revenues by approximately 0.40% of gross auction sales for 2003. The Company expects the impact to be in this range for the full year in 2003.
      The Proxy Purchase Fee and the Internet Purchase Fee described above (see “Sources of Revenue and Revenue Recognition”) together increased auction revenues by approximately 0.12% of gross auction sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2003. At the end of 2002 the company estimated that these fees would increase auction revenues by approximately 0.10% of gross auction sales. The Company expects the impact to be in this range for the full year in 2003.
      Prior to 2002, the Company’s annual auction revenue rate had averaged approximately 8.80%. With the introduction of the handling fee in 2002 and the Proxy and Internet Purchase Fees in 2003, management believes that the Company’s auction revenue rate will be in the range of 9.30% for the remainder of 2003. Management does not believe that the stronger rate achieved in the first quarter is indicative of a long-term trend.
Direct Expenses
      Direct expenses consist of costs incurred as a direct result of an auction sale being held. Direct expenses include the costs of hiring personnel to assist in conducting the auction, advertising specifically related to the auction, travel costs for full time employees to attend and work at the auction site, security hired to safeguard equipment at the auction site and lease expenses for temporary auction sites.
15 

 

      Direct expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 totaled $4.7 million, an increase of $0.8 million or 21% compared to the prior year’s first quarter direct expenses of $3.9 million. Direct expenses as a percentage of gross auction sales were 1.36% for the first quarter of 2003 compared to the 1.33% ratio experienced in the comparable period in 2002.
      Direct expenses as a percentage of gross auction sales fluctuate based on the size and location of auctions held each period. As the size of auctions increases, the direct expense rate generally decreases. Moreover, auctions held at permanent auction sites tend to have lower direct expense rates than auctions held at temporary locations due to the economies of scale and other efficiencies typically achieved at permanent auction sites. Management expects that direct expenses as a percentage of gross auction sales will average approximately 1.45% in 2003.
Depreciation Expense
      Depreciation is calculated on either a straight line or a declining balance basis on capital assets employed in the Company’s business, including building and site improvements, automobiles, yard equipment, and computer hardware and software. Depreciation expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 totaled $2.6 million, an increase of $0.6 million over depreciation of $2.0 million recorded in the first quarter of 2002.
      Depreciation expense grew primarily as a result of the depreciation of new auction facilities constructed over the past few years and increasing charges related to capitalized software development costs. Management anticipates that depreciation expense will continue to increase in the future as existing auction sites are improved and additional permanent auction sites are acquired and developed, though the rate of increase will be slower than in recent years because the acquisition and development of auction sites has slowed, as discussed below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
General and Administrative Expenses
      General and administrative expenses (“G&A”) include items such as employee expenses (salaries, wages, performance bonuses and benefits), non-auction related travel, institutional advertising, insurance, general office, and information technology expenses. G&A increased to $16.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, an increase of $0.7 million or 4% compared to G&A of $16.0 million in the first quarter of 2002. The increase in G&A is attributable to costs incurred in 2003 to support the growth initiatives of the Company, as well as to costs associated with the operation of new permanent auction sites opened during the prior year. Future levels of G&A will continue to be affected by the expansion of infrastructure and workforce necessary to support the Company’s growth plans, as well as other factors.
Earnings from Operations
      Earnings from operations for the first quarter of 2003 were $12.4 million compared to $7.4 million for the comparable period in 2002. Earnings from operations increased in 2003 primarily as a result of increased gross auction sales and an above average auction revenue rate, offset in part by increased G&A and direct expenses.
Interest Expense
      Interest expense is comprised mainly of interest and bank charges paid on bank term debt and operating credit lines. Interest expense for the first quarter of 2003 was $0.9 million compared to $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2002. During 2003, the Company capitalized interest of $0.1 million (2002 — $0.4 million) related to properties under development. The 2003 period also reflects a reduction of $0.6 million relating to a provision that had been established in prior years in connection with a potential income tax issue. This issue was resolved in the first quarter of 2003. Interest expense may increase in the future as the capitalization of interest decreases in conjunction with the completion of building projects currently under development. See “Overview” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further discussion.
16 

 

Income Taxes
      Income taxes of $3.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 (2002 — $1.1 million) have been computed based on rates of tax that apply in each of the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The effective tax rate of 25.4% for the first quarter of 2003 is higher than the 17.6% rate the Company experienced in the first quarter of 2002 as a result of differences in the amount of earnings attributable to the different tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates and earns its income. In addition, an income tax recovery of $0.2 million was recorded in March 2003 relating to the resolution of the income tax issue discussed under “Interest Expense.” Income tax rates in future periods will fluctuate depending upon the impact of unusual items and the division of earnings between the different tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates and earns its income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
      The Company’s cash position can fluctuate significantly from period to period, largely as a result of differences between the timing and number of auctions, the timing of the receipt of auction sale proceeds from buyers, and the timing of payments of net amounts due to consignors. If auctions are conducted near a period end, the Company may hold cash in respect of those auctions that will not be paid to consignors until after the period end. The Company generally pays out auction proceeds to consignors approximately 21 days following an auction. Accordingly, management believes a more meaningful measure of the Company’s liquidity is working capital, including cash.
      Working capital including cash was $28.5 million at March 31, 2003, which is within the Company’s current target for working capital. The comparable balance at December 31, 2002 was $25.4 million.
      Capital asset additions for the first quarter of 2003 were $4.9 million compared to $8.5 million in the same period in 2002. Exchange rate changes relating to capital assets held in currencies other than the United States dollar resulted in a further increase in capital assets of $5.3 million (2002 — $0.2 million decrease). The expenditures in the first quarter of 2003 relate to the purchase of land in Sacramento, California to be used for a new permanent auction site, and to costs incurred in the construction of a replacement auction facility in Prince George, British Columbia that is scheduled to open in May 2003.
      The Company incurred lower site development and building costs in the first quarter of 2003 than in the comparable period in 2002 as a result of the reduced pace of the Company’s aggressive facilities expansion program. The Company will continue to add additional permanent auction sites in selected locations as opportunities arise, and is presently in various stages of commitments to acquire land for development in the United States. Actual expenditure levels in the future will depend on the Company’s ability to identify, acquire and develop suitable auction sites. Capital expenditures, including maintenance capital expenditures, are expected to be in the range of $15 million to $20 million per year on average for the next few years, and are expected to be incurred equally over the year.
      The Company has established credit facilities with financial institutions in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The Company presently has access to credit lines for operations of approximately $97.9 million and to credit lines for funding property acquisitions of approximately $103.1 million. At March 31, 2003, the Company had bank debt related to operations of $2.4 million (2002 — nil), and bank debt related to property acquisitions totaled $71.8 million (2002 — $71.8 million), leaving a net credit line of $95.5 million available for operations and net credit lines of $31.3 million available for property acquisitions.
      The Company had floating rate debt of $4.0 million at March 31, 2003 (2002 — $3.4 million) with the remainder being fixed rate debt. The Company is subject to interest rate risk on the floating rate debt, but an increase in interest rates would not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations because the balance is not significant. At March 31, 2003, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants applicable to its term debt.
      Although the Company cannot accurately anticipate the future effect of inflation on its financial condition or results of operations, inflation historically has not had a material effect on the Company’s operations.
17 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
      In January 2003 the Accounting Standards Board in Canada issued Handbook Section 3063, Impairment of long-lived assets, establishing standards for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of the impairment of long-lived assets. The new Canadian standard is substantially the same as the existing standard in the United States. The adoption of the new Canadian standard in 2003 did not have a material impact on disclosure of the Company’s financial condition or results of operations for the first quarter.
      In February 2003 the Accounting Standards Board in Canada issued Accounting Guideline 14, Disclosure of Guarantees, clarifying the financial statement disclosures to be made by a guarantor about its obligations under guarantees. The new Canadian guidance is substantially the same as the standard adopted in the United States in 2002 (Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 45) and applied by the Company in its December 31, 2002 consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this new guidance in the first quarter of 2003 did not have a material impact on the presentation of the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
      This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current expectations and estimates about the Company’s business. These statements include, among others, statements relating to: future performance by the Company; growth of the Company’s operations, including expansion of the markets in which it conducts auctions and the scope of services it offers; growth of auction industry markets and segments; auction revenues and auction revenue rates, including increases in auction revenues resulting from the recent implementation of new fees; direct expense rates; the effect on G&A of expanded infrastructure and workforce; potential increases in interest expenses; the anticipated improvement, acquisition and development of permanent auction sites; future capital expenditures; Internet initiatives and the contribution to gross auction sales from Internet-based auction purchases; and financing available to the Company. Words such as “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, “anticipates” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify these and other forward-looking statements. The Company’s forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The following important factors, among others, could affect the Company’s actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from those expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by securities legislation. Forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these and other relevant factors.
Risk Factors
The Company May Not Be Able to Achieve and Manage Growth
      A principal component of the Company’s strategy is to continue to grow by increasing earnings from operations in the Company’s existing markets and by expanding into new geographic markets and into auction market segments that the Company has not historically emphasized. The Company’s future growth will depend upon a number of factors, both within and outside of the Company’s control, including:

			
 	•	the identification and development of new markets;	
 		
 	•	the identification and acquisition on favorable terms of suitable new auction sites and, possibly, of suitable acquisition candidates;	
 		
 	•	the ability to hire, train and retain qualified personnel;	
 		
 	•	the successful integration of new sites and any acquired businesses with the Company’s existing operations;	
18 

 

			
 	•	the acceptance by potential consignors and industrial equipment buyers of the auction process generally, as well as of the Company’s expansion into new markets and market segments;	
 		
 	•	the establishment and maintenance of favorable relationships with consignors and bidders in new markets and the maintenance of such relationships in existing markets;	
 		
 	•	the supply of and demand for industrial equipment, both on a local and global basis;	
 		
 	•	the receipt of any required governmental authorizations for proposed development or expansion; and	
 		
 	•	the Company’s ability to manage expansion and to obtain required financing.	
      There can be no assurance that the Company will successfully expand its operations or that any expansion will be profitable. Further, the results achieved by the Company to date may not be indicative of its prospects or its ability to penetrate new markets, many of which may have different competitive conditions and demographic characteristics than the Company’s current markets.
      If the Company is successful in expanding its operations it will experience growth in the number of its employees, the scope of its operating and financial systems and the geographic area of its operations. This growth will increase the operating complexity of the Company and the level of responsibility of existing and new management personnel. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract and retain qualified management and employees, that the Company’s current operating and financial systems and controls will be adequate to the extent the Company grows, or that any steps taken to attract and retain management and employees and to improve such systems and controls will be sufficient.
The Company’s Operating Results are Subject to Quarterly Variations
      The Company’s revenues and operating results historically have fluctuated from quarter to quarter. These fluctuations have been and are expected to continue to be caused by a number of factors, including the timing and size of auctions; the seasonal nature of the auction business in general; general economic conditions in the Company’s markets; the timing of acquisitions and development of auction sites and related costs; and the effectiveness of integrating new sites or acquired businesses. Additionally, the Company generally incurs substantial costs in entering new markets and the profitability of operations at a new location is uncertain, in part because the number and size of auctions at new locations is more variable than at the Company’s more established locations. These factors, among others, may cause the Company’s results of operations in some future quarters to be below the expectations of investors or results of previous quarters, which could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Common Shares.
The Company may Incur Losses Related to its Price Guarantees, Purchases of Inventory, Advances to Consignors and Guarantees of Clear Title, Which Could Harm the Company’s Operating Results
      The Company generally offers its services to consignors of used equipment on a straight commission basis. In certain circumstances the Company will, subject to its evaluation of the equipment, either:

			
 	•	offer to guarantee the consignor a minimum level of gross sale proceeds, regardless of the ultimate results of the auction; or,	
 		
 	•	offer to purchase the equipment directly from the consignor for sale in a particular auction.	
      If auction proceeds are less than the guaranteed amount, the Company’s commission would be reduced or, if sufficiently lower, the Company would incur a loss. If auction proceeds are less than the purchase price paid by the Company, the Company would incur a loss. Because all its auctions are unreserved, the Company cannot protect itself against such losses by bidding on or acquiring any items at the auctions. In recent periods, guarantee contracts and purchases and sales by the Company of inventory have represented approximately one-quarter of the Company’s annual gross auction sales.
      Occasionally, the Company advances to consignors a portion of the estimated auction proceeds prior to the auction. The Company generally makes such advances only after taking possession of the equipment to be auctioned and upon receipt of a security interest in the equipment to secure the obligation. If the Company
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were unable to auction the equipment or if auction proceeds were less than amounts advanced, the Company could incur a loss.
      The Company guarantees that each item purchased at its auctions is free of liens and other encumbrances up to the purchase price paid by the buyer. While the Company expends considerable effort ensuring that all liens have been identified and, if necessary, dealt with prior to the auction sale, there have been instances where liens have not been properly identified or discharged and the Company has had to make payments to the relevant lienholders or purchasers. If the Company is not able to recover sufficient funds from the consignors to offset the payment to the lienholders, the Company would incur a loss and such losses could be material.
Adverse Changes in Economic Conditions May Decrease Demand for Industrial Equipment, Which Would Decrease Gross Auction Sales and the Company’s Auction Revenues
      A substantial portion of the Company’s revenues is derived from customers in industries that are cyclical in nature and subject to changes in general or regional economic conditions. Adverse changes or downturns in a given industry may decrease demand for related equipment and lead to lower auction revenues. Although auction sales to residents of countries or regions other than the country or region in which the auction is held have generally been increasing in recent years, approximately one-half of auction revenues is generated by same-country or same-region purchasers. As a result, the Company’s operating results in a particular country or region may be adversely affected by events or conditions in that country or region, such as a local economic slowdown, adverse weather affecting local industries and other factors. The Company’s operating results may also be adversely affected by increases in interest rates that may lead to a decline in economic activity, which may adversely affect demand for industrial equipment.
Competition in the Company’s Markets May Lead to Reduced Revenues and Profitability
      The international industrial equipment market and the industrial equipment auction market are highly fragmented. The Company competes for potential purchasers of industrial equipment with other auction companies and with indirect competitors such as equipment manufacturers, distributors and dealers that sell new or used equipment, as well as equipment rental companies. The Company also competes for potential consignors with other auction companies and with indirect competitors such as used equipment dealers.
      The Company’s direct competitors are primarily regional auction companies. Some of the Company’s indirect competitors have significantly greater financial and marketing resources and name recognition than the Company. New competitors with greater financial and other resources than the Company may enter the industrial equipment auction market in the future. Additionally, existing or future competitors may succeed in entering and establishing successful operations in new geographic markets prior to the Company’s entry into such markets. They may also compete against the Company via Internet-based services. To the extent existing or future competitors seek to gain or retain market share by reducing commission rates, the Company may also be required to modify its commission rates, which may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
Decreases in the Supply of, Demand for, or Market Values of Industrial Equipment, Primarily Used Industrial Equipment, Would Harm the Company’s Business
      There are many factors that have an impact on the supply of and demand for used equipment, most of which the Company cannot control. In addition, market values for used equipment fluctuate based on circumstances beyond the Company’s control. Price competition for new equipment has a direct impact on the supply of, demand for, and market value of used equipment. Some industrial equipment manufacturers have special promotions offering low or no down payment and low or no interest charges to increase sales of new equipment. In addition, competition between manufacturers of equipment exerts downward pressure on new equipment prices, which in turn impacts the supply of, demand for, and market values of used equipment. A significant erosion in the supply of, demand for and market values of used equipment could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
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The Company’s Operations are Subject to Substantial Environmental and Other Regulations, Which may Significantly Increase the Company’s Expenses or Limit its Operations and Ability to Expand
      In the countries in which it operates, the Company is subject to a variety of federal, provincial, state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to, among other things, the auction business, imports and exports of equipment, worker safety, and the use, storage, discharge and disposal of environmentally sensitive materials. Failure to comply with such laws, rules and regulations could result in substantial liability to the Company, suspension or cessation of certain of the Company’s operations, restrictions on the Company’s ability to expand at its present locations or into new locations, requirements for the acquisition of additional equipment or other significant expenses.
      The development or expansion of auction sites is contingent upon receipt of required licenses, permits and other governmental authorizations. The inability of the Company to obtain such required items could have an adverse effect on its results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, changes or concessions required by regulatory authorities could result in significant delays in, or prevent completion of, such development or expansion. Under certain of the laws regulating the use, storage, discharge and disposal of environmentally sensitive materials, an owner or lessee of real estate may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances located on or in, or emanating from, such real estate, as well as related costs of investigation and property damage. Such laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner or lessee knew of or was responsible for the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. There can be no assurance that environmental contamination does not exist at the Company’s acquired or leased auction sites from prior activities at such locations or from neighboring properties, that additional auction sites acquired or leased by the Company will not prove to be so contaminated, or that future uses of or conditions on the properties or sites will not result in contamination. Any such contamination could materially adversely affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.
      The Company is aware of potential restrictions in the United States and Europe that may affect the ability of equipment owners to transport certain equipment between certain jurisdictions. One example of such restrictions is environmental certification requirements in the United States. If these restrictions were to materially affect the ability of customers to ship equipment to or from the Company’s auction sites, they could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
      The imposition of additional export or import regulations or of additional duties, taxes or other charges on exports or imports could have a material adverse impact on participation in the Company’s auctions by international bidders and consignors. Reduced participation by such parties could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s Insurance May Not Be Sufficient to Cover Losses That May Occur as a Result of the Company’s Operations
      The Company maintains property and general liability insurance. There can be no assurance that such insurance will remain available to the Company at commercially reasonable rates or that the amount of such coverage will be adequate to cover any liability incurred by the Company. The Company’s auctions generally involve the operation of large equipment close to a large number of people; if an accident occurred, it could result in substantial damage to the Company’s facilities or injury to auction attendees. If the Company is liable for amounts exceeding the limits of its insurance coverage or for claims outside the scope of its coverage, its business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
The Company’s Substantial Operations Outside the United States and Canada Expose it to Foreign Exchange Rate Exposure and Political, Governmental and Economic Instability, Which Could Adversely Affect the Company’s Operations
      The Company conducts business in North, South and Central America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East and intends to expand its international presence. The Company’s business in and operating results relating to international markets may be adversely affected by fluctuating currency exchange rates, acts of terrorism or war, and by changing social, economic, political and governmental conditions and
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regulations. Although the Company reports its financial results in United States dollars, approximately 35% of its auction revenues are derived from countries other than the United States, mostly in currencies other than the United States dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates against the United States dollar, particularly for the Canadian dollar or the Euro, could have an adverse effect on the presentation of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition and could cause fluctuations in the Company’s earnings.
The Company Depends on Key Personnel, the Loss of Any of Which Would Harm the Company
      The Company’s future performance and development will depend to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of David E. Ritchie, a co-founder of the Company and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and of its other executive officers. The loss of the services of one or more of such individuals or other senior managers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The Company does not maintain key man insurance on the lives of any of its employees. The Company’s ongoing success will depend on its continuing ability to attract, develop and retain skilled personnel in all areas of its business.
The Company’s Internet-related Initiatives Are Subject to Technological Obsolescence in the Rapidly-Changing Internet Environment
      The Company has invested significant resources in the development of its Internet presence in general, and its rbauctionBid-Live Internet bidding service in particular. In spite of this investment, these new technologies may not result in any material improvement in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations over the long term, and may require further investment in the future. In addition, the Company may not be able to continue to adapt its business to Internet commerce.
      Internet-related products are complex and rapidly evolving. The Company may encounter difficulties or delays in the development, implementation and upgrading of its Internet initiatives, and any such initiatives may soon become obsolete. In addition, there can be no assurance that its infrastructure, networks and applications and systems will successfully accommodate growth of peak traffic volumes as the rbauctionBid-Live service is rolled out to a greater number of auctions, or that the Company’s initiatives will compete effectively against on-line bidding technologies offered by competitors.
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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Number		Description	
			
 	*3.1	 	 	Articles of Amalgamation, as amended	
 	*3.2	 	 	By-laws	
 	*4.1	 	 	Form of common share certificate	
 	4.2	 	 	Description of capital shares contained in the Articles of Amalgamation (see Exhibit 3.1)	
 	4.3	 	 	Description of rights of securityholders contained in the By-laws (see Exhibit 3.2)	
 	*10.1	 	 	1997 Stock Option Plan, as amended	
 	*10.2	 	 	Form of Indemnity Agreement for directors and officers	
 	**10.3	 	 	Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of February 19, 1999 among Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America) Inc., Forke, Inc., and certain other parties	
 	**10.4	 	 	Loan Agreement dated as of March 26, 1999 between Ritchie Bros. U.S. Finance Limited Partnership (Delaware), Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated and U.S. Bank National Association.	

		
*	Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number from the Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed on September 26, 1997, as amended (File No. 333-36457).	
 		
**	Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number from the Report of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K filed on May 14, 1999 (File No. 001-13425).	
SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 	 	RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
(Registrant)	

Date May 8, 2003	 	By /s/ ROBERT S. ARMSTRONG

Robert S. Armstrong,

Corporate Secretary	
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