Malcolm Excavating retirement sale reaches buyers beyond Ontario

After 38 years building Malcolm Excavating in Burgessville, Ontario, Andrew and Debbie Malcolm wanted a retirement sale handled by people they trusted. They chose Ritchie Bros. to help them take that next step, with a team approach and buyer reach that extended well beyond their community.

A sale built around the people behind the business

Andrew started with his father’s backhoe and grew the business into an operation that, at its peak, employed 44 people. Debbie handled paperwork and joined Andrew on overnight snowplowing runs. Several employees had been with them for close to 20 years.

Retirement meant working through practical decisions as well as personal ones. The business operated from the farm where they lived, making a transfer to family or employees difficult. An auction offered a way forward.

The Ritchie Bros. team understood why choosing the right partner mattered. In their pre-sale interview, the Malcolms described how Steve and Matt emphasized the support of a whole team. “We wanted to make sure that we were working with the right people,” they explained.

Local equipment connected with international buyers

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The September 28, 2026 auction brought more than 1,200 registrations. Buyers came from Canada, the United States, India, and Peru, showing how a sale in a small Ontario community could connect equipment with demand across borders.

Across the overall auction, which included six sellers, 593 lots sold. For contractors considering retirement or a fleet sale, that reach matters: your pool of potential buyers can extend beyond the people who already know your business.

Making room for a cause that mattered

The Malcolms also wanted their retirement sale to support Youth for Christ in Norwich. When they raised the idea, the team suggested a small auction of antiques and locally significant items, with proceeds intended for the organization. It gave the couple a way to include their community in the sale plan.

For Andrew and Debbie, the decision came down to finding people they felt comfortable working with. Their story shows what that partnership can look like: a team that listens to the seller’s priorities and connects the sale with buyers beyond the local market.

Planning a retirement sale or selling equipment? Talk to Ritchie Bros. about a plan for your sale.

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