Helping Boost the Next Generation 

clefournierNovember 3, 2025 · 4 min read

The Le Garff family is a fine example of Ritchie Bros. helping farmers and business owners pass the torch. When it’s time for the next generation of leaders to take the wheel, retiring farmers and business owners can count on Ritchie Bros. to help them sell their equipment for the highest possible returns. 

A Family Affair 

Following more than 30 years of growth in a farming business launched by his parents, Thierry Le Garff was looking at retirement and the inevitable succession of the business for his children. All the advice he was hearing was that he should work with Ritchie Bros. – because selling a substantial fleet of machines that includes heavy assets like tractors and harvesters is what our experts do day in and day out. 

“We’re reaching retirement age,” Thierry said, “and we have to plan for the future.” 

Retirements and major transitions in the agricultural sector can be tedious and challenging, particularly for an operation such as Le Garff’s where a significant part of the value lies in the equipment they own. 

“We’ve always wanted to keep equipment in good condition, sometimes even buying new ones in anticipation,” Thierry said. “But today, prices are very high. Even with depreciation, it’s become almost impossible to get back.” 

When the time does inevitably come to either refresh your fleet of machines or sell them to the highest bidder before retiring, how do you proceed? Where is the best place to sell? Where can you find the right buyers? That’s where Ritchie Bros. comes in. 

Equipment for saleSponsored2018 Claas Lexion 760 Terratrac 4x4 Combine HarvesterLake Worth, USA 7 daysView listing

Why work with Ritchie Bros.? 

With a steadily growing network of fully engaged buyers and a host of digital products and services to offer, Ritchie Bros. is Europe’s go-to marketplace for used agricultural equipment and other heavy assets. Our team of experts know their markets and bring a personal touch to every dedicated auction. After all, the sale of your equipment should receive as much care as the machines did during your ownership. 

“We didn’t want to spend months selling individual items,” Thierry said. “With Ritchie Bros., everything is simple. No need to move the machines. We sell everything onsite – all at once. It’s clear, fast, and we have good support.” 

A big part of the Le Garff succession plan involved the difficult decision to downsize. By reducing their fleet through competitive auction sales and getting high value for their assets, the burden was eased a bit for Thierry’s brothers and children as they look to keep the business growing for years to come. It was simply unacceptable to allow everything the family built for decades to disappear because they weren’t prepared to adapt to not only their family circumstances but also current market conditions. 

“We couldn’t let the business stop there,” Thierry said. “We wanted something simple, fast and transparent. With Ritchie Bros., we can sell directly from our site, without having to manage each machine individually.” 

Results That Matter 

At Ritchie Bros., when we hear from satisfied customers and know that we played a part in helping a family business set itself up for future success, the rewards are too many to count. During the ETA Le Garff disposition, we sold a total of 43 items to 35 buyers – 28 of them located right in France. 

The incredible turnout for this sale is a testament to the fact that the agricultural experts at Ritchie Bros. not only know the machines being sold but also the right markets to tap for greater returns. With full transparency and detailed online listings, buyers know they can bid with full confidence. 

Equipment for saleSponsoredGleaner M2 Combine HarvesterWestern Canada, CAN 7 daysView listing

Here are a few of the bigger items and their sale prices: 

With strong demand for quality agricultural equipment, sellers and buyers find world-class service and satisfaction with Ritchie Bros.

Do you have equipment to sell? Contact us today to get started. 

See also

How Plantforce turns fleet renewal into strategy