‘’The entrepreneur from Ireland was overjoyed with that second-hand press brake.’’

The experts at Troostwijk Auctions travel throughout the Netherlands and Belgium every day to create the most appealing auction offerings possible. With their industry knowledge, commitment to both sellers and buyers, and big smiles on their faces, they ensure that everything that is seen as surplus by one company is turned into a new beginning for another.

The Dutch metal sector is under pressure. High investment costs for automation, a shortage of skilled workers, and increasing competition from China pose challenges for entrepreneurs trying to future-proof their businesses. Ben Heikoop, Metal Account Manager at Troostwijk Auctions, sees how this pressure forces entrepreneurs to make difficult choices daily. 

“Entrepreneurs are often caught between a rock and a hard place,” Ben begins. “Automation is essential for faster, more energy-efficient, cheaper production and for meeting customer quality requirements. But the costs of such an investment are high, and without good personnel to operate or maintain the machines, it is often not profitable. Many companies are asking themselves: should I buy new machines at all?”

Case study
Ben cites Paul Meijering Metalen as an example, which experienced one of its most challenging years in 2024. Declining order flows, price pressure, and rising costs for energy, wages, and materials squeezed margins, resulting in losses. “Nevertheless, he continues to look for ways to keep his business future-proof, including auctioning off old machines.” One press brake eventually made its way to Ireland. “The entrepreneur called him later: he was delighted.”

According to Ben, this shows how online auctions can be an important alternative. “Whereas in the past it was mainly small parts that were being bought and sold, nowadays it is complete, high-quality machines. The platform not only delivers a fair price thanks to international bidders, but often also the highest price. What’s more, machines are given a second or third life.”

Data confirms the trend
The data underscores this trend: in the first eight months of 2025, the average number of bids per lot increased by 42 percent while the value of the average lot rose by 27 percent. Nearly half of the lots were purchased by foreign companies, which increases competition and strengthens the market value of used machinery.

Nevertheless, entrepreneurs often still view auctions as something inextricably linked to bankruptcies. This too is evident from the figures: the growth in the number of auctions is particularly noticeable there, with almost ten percent more auctions in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Not just for bankruptcies
However, Ben emphasizes that online auctions can be more than a solution for bankruptcies. They can also be used strategically: to free up money, invest in more efficient equipment, or explore new markets. “The pressure on the sector is high, but that makes it all the more interesting to take a smart look at your assets. Everything that is surplus to one company's requirements can be given a new lease of life at another.”