The IronDirect.com site is where to go if you are in the market for value-priced and premium equipment from proven brands as well as qualified new-to-market brands, according to the company. Choose from a variety of construction and public works gear. Excavators, dozers and loaders are featured at the site. The site, which opened for business in 2015, offers Chinese brands such as Lonking and Shantui by Iron Direct. That construction gear is often enhanced with components from global brands such as Cummins, Kawasaki and ZF.
The site’s inventory also includes a growing selection of machines, attachments, undercarriage parts, and accessories from Paladin, Berco, and other vendors.
Substantial savings are possible, according to text at the site, which states: “Our customers experience up to 50 percent savings over the entire ownership lifecycle of our construction equipment by using our efficient turnkey solution for procurement, finance, management, and disposition of assets.” As a subsidiary of Liquidity Services, the site also offers investment recovery solutions for owners of surplus assets.
While the company lacks a U.S. distributor network, it has a 100-acre Customer Experience Center in Asheville, N.C., where customers can see and operate the IronDirect machines and attachments.
GPN asked IronDirect president Tim Frank (photo at left) about the government market. Before he launched IronDirect, Frank served as CEO of Sany America, a Chinese and global construction equipment manufacturer. Frank also has served stints at Caterpillar and Volvo. Below are Frank’s views.
GPN: Does IronDirect have any advice for our government/administrator audience regarding acquiring equipment?
Tim Frank: Don’t be afraid to purchase from IronDirect! We have worked very hard to develop an innovative approach to buying construction equipment that removes the unnecessary costs and inefficiencies associated with the traditional business model. The result is a smarter, better way to purchase, finance, manage and resell equipment that can ultimately save you up to 50 percent over the entire lifecycle of ownership.
GPN: Are governments (especially local governments) using online marketplaces to acquire equipment?
TF: Yes, governments do use online marketplaces such as GovDeals.com, GovLiquidation.com and NetworkIntl.com to buy and sell used construction equipment. With the launch of IronDirect.com, the same buyers are now able to purchase new premium and value-priced machines, attachments, undercarriages and parts plus access the robust services and technologies that come with all IronDirect equipment.
GPN: What kinds of equipment do local governments most often buy?
TF: While we do not have specific statistics regarding the type of equipment local governments most often purchase, we can tell you that the products currently offered for sale on IronDirect.com – excavators, bulldozer and wheel loaders – are among the top 10 most purchased machines on our sister marketplace, Network International.
In the video, learn more about IronDirect and its vision.
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