Doug Niemi is used to his phone ringing from 4 in the morning to 10 at night. It’s just the nature of running his business, D. Niemi Trucking, and being on top of every detail to ensure his people have everything they need to get the job done – the right way.
It’s been that way for 40 years, as Doug and his wife Kelly grew the Haileybury, Ontario-based business from one skidder and tandem truck to today’s successful business with over 150 assets. However, the time has come for Doug and Kelly to look at the next phase of their lives.
D. Niemi Trucking will conduct a complete dispersal on July 30, 2024 via a live online auction. It will feature 154 prime forestry assets unreserved to the highest bidders. The equipment will garner plenty of attention because of Doug’s sterling reputation for maintaining his fleet.
“We had six mechanics, and everything was always well looked after,” said Doug. “We had mobile mechanics, some in the shop, and someone overlooking all of them.”
Attention to detail for his equipment was equaled by attention to his people. He always made sure they had everything they needed to go to work every day. His employees have repaid him with deep loyalty, with some being tenured for more than 30 years.
“We always had good people helping us build up the business,” Doug reflected.
Doug is no stranger to buying and selling with Ritchie Bros. In fact, his first purchase at a Ritchie Bros. auction was a log loader in 1997. He says the biggest reason he chose Ritchie Bros. for his very important retirement auction is the convenience of selling from his premise versus hauling assets to the nearest auction site at Bolton. Plus, the certainty of having it all done in short order.
A few assets he will be particularly keeping his eye one in the sale are two 2023 Tigercat X870D Feller Bunchers, a pair of 2022 John Deere 853MH Processors, and a 2020 Tigercat H855E Processor.
“The biggest reason to sell with Ritchie Bros. is that in one day, it’s all done,” said Doug. “You don’t have to chase anything. You don’t have people phoning and bugging you. And when you buy stuff, it is because you get it right away and it can be used right away.
“At the end of the day, I know I am going to get paid, it will all be done, and there isn’t going to be any hassle.”
Doug and Kelly are highly respected members of the local Haileybury community and are known for providing the best, and cheapest, firewood in town. It’s not uncommon to see heavy traffic of locals in their yard snapping up bundles of firewood. That part of their life will remain unchanged.
They say they will take some time after the dispersal to travel, go fishing, and look after their many apartment properties. It’s fitting that their retirement auction is taking place on their premises, as Doug says it brings the story of Niemi Trucking full circle.
“It started here; it should be finished here.”