Fewer, but larger, metal auctions: average lot value rises by 21.8%

SME metalworking businesses to invest 19% less in new machinery this year; Koninklijke Metaalunie sees business owners holding back

Amsterdam, 10 November 2026 – In the first half of 2026, fewer auctions of metal and metalworking machinery were held in the Netherlands via Troostwijk Auctions than in the same period a year earlier (−6.6%). Yet more lots were sold (+5%), with an average of 12% more lots sold per auction. The average value of lots sold for €1,000 or more rose by 21.8% to €5,460, while the number of unique buyers increased by 11% to 839. These are findings from the Troostwijk Auctions Index Metal Netherlands, an analysis of auction data for the first half of 2026.

Fewer, but larger, insolvency auctions
The number of insolvency auctions fell by 28%, from 46 to 33. However, these auctions were larger: 17% more lots were sold, and the average lot value was 41% higher. Insolvency auctions accounted for almost 40% of total auction proceeds, compared with 30% a year earlier. In voluntary sales, slightly fewer lots were sold (−8.5%).

“When a company goes bankrupt, an entire production site often becomes available all at once, from press brakes to lathes and CNC machining centres,” says Tjerk Douna, Account Manager for Metal and Metalworking Machinery at Troostwijk Auctions. “This is reflected in larger auctions and higher lot values. There were several major insolvencies this year, more than in previous years, and that is also reflected in the proceeds. Voluntary sales more often involve one or a few machines that no longer fit a company’s current production needs.”

Investment in new machinery under pressure
The figures come amid caution in the metal industry. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the basic metals and fabricated metal products industry expects to invest 19% less in 2026 than in 2025. This is the steepest decline across the entire industrial sector, where investment is expected to fall by 3% on average.

In its Economic Barometer for Q3 2026, due to be published shortly, Koninklijke Metaalunie finds that business owners in the SME manufacturing sector are hesitant to invest at present.

“Members surveyed by Metaalunie cite uncertainty about regulations, levies or subsidies as one reason for postponing investments,” says Mark Helder, Chairman of Koninklijke Metaalunie. “This is also a message to policymakers in The Hague: businesses need stable policies and do not want to be continually surprised by new rules. My appeal is to simplify policy and put SME business owners at its centre.”

According to Douna, this caution also affects existing machinery.

“Companies adapt their production, replace equipment or redistribute their machines across different sites,” he says. “A machine that is barely used takes up space and ties up capital. For buyers, used equipment is a way to add capacity or carry out a specific process without the investment required for a new machine.”

More buyers, fewer bidders per lot
The number of unique buyers rose by 11%, while the number of bidders fell by 12%. Each lot attracted an average of 8.5 bidders, compared with 10.2 a year earlier. More businesses bought equipment, but they appear to be focusing on the machines they genuinely need. Categories showing notable growth included machine parts, tools and accessories (+136% in lots sold), press brakes and folding machines (+37%), CNC machining centres (+23%) and lathes (+20%). Fewer welding machines (−12%) and complete production lines (−81%) were sold.

“When investment in new machinery is under pressure, the value of existing machinery becomes more important,” says Ward van den Boorn, Country Director Netherlands at Troostwijk Auctions. “A machine that is idle at one company can be back in production immediately at another. That applies just as much in the case of an insolvency as when a company adjusts its production. Our role is to get those machines to the right buyer quickly and secure a good price for the seller.”

About the Troostwijk Auctions Index Metal Netherlands
The Troostwijk Auctions Index Metal Netherlands is based on an analysis of auctions of metal and metalworking machinery conducted via Troostwijk Auctions in the Netherlands. The first half of 2026 is compared with the same period in 2025. The lot analysis includes only sold lots with a sale value of at least €1,000. The figures relate exclusively to activity via Troostwijk Auctions and do not represent the entire Dutch market for used metalworking equipment.