This year, we proudly celebrate significant milestones: 40 years of BigIron and 45 years of Sullivan Auctioneers. From day one, both companies have been devoted to serving our customers with unmatched excellence in agriculture equipment and land sales. As family-grown businesses, we have spent decades rooted in various industries, including agriculture, construction, transportation, livestock, industrial assets, real estate, and even collector cars. Together, BigIron and Sullivan Auctioneers remain committed to evolving with your needs and continuing to deliver top-tier online auction experiences.
The Beginnings of BigIron
In the early 1980s, Ron and Mark Stock recognized a need for a better way to buy and sell farm equipment. Farmers in their area were relying on slow and often ineffective methods like classified ads and word-of-mouth referrals. The Stock brothers saw an opportunity to simplify these transactions and launched an auction company that would bring efficiency and convenience to buyers and sellers. As they prepared for their first live auction, they wanted to present a professional image. With limited resources, they chose their only matching shirts: bright yellow FFA uniforms. This practical choice became more than just a uniform; it evolved into a powerful symbol of BigIron’s commitment to innovation, professionalism, and its deep connection to the communities it serves.
In 1984, they founded Stock Auction Company, earning a strong reputation for fair dealings, honest representation, and prompt payment. As the internet became more widely available in the 1990s, the Stock brothers embraced its potential. In 2001, they broadcasted their first live auction online, allowing people from all over the world to participate in real-time. By 2009, Stock Auction Company had transformed into BigIron, focusing exclusively on online auctions. The platform quickly became a leader, expanding from agriculture into a range of verticals, including construction machinery, transportation vehicles, livestock, industrial assets, real estate, and collector cars.
Sullivan Auctioneers - A Legacy of Trust Across Industries
Since 1979, Sullivan Auctioneers has been a trusted name in the auction world, known for excellence in land and equipment sales. Like BigIron, Sullivan Auctioneers was built from family roots and a dedication to its clients. Over the years, the company established itself as a reliable partner across multiple sectors, including real estate, construction, and industrial equipment. The strategic partnership between BigIron and Sullivan Auctioneers in 2022 further strengthened our shared commitment to providing unmatched auction experiences.
A Commitment to Serving Diverse Markets
Both BigIron and Sullivan Auctioneers have evolved to serve a wide range of industries beyond agriculture. Today, BigIron’s platform is a trusted partner for farmers upgrading equipment, contractors looking to sell construction machinery, transportation companies offloading vehicles, livestock sellers, industrial asset managers, real estate owners, and even car enthusiasts seeking to buy or sell collector cars. Our user-friendly website and mobile app make it seamless for buyers and sellers to browse, bid, and manage their auctions anytime, anywhere.
Our success story is a testament to the power of innovation and community. Ron and Mark Stock’s vision, along with Sullivan Auctioneers' enduring dedication to their clients, has created a dynamic online marketplace that meets the needs of various industries while staying true to our roots.
Looking to the Future
As we celebrate these impressive anniversaries, we remain dedicated to you, our customers, across all verticals. Our investment in cutting-edge technology, industry expansion, and innovative auction practices ensures that buying and selling equipment, land, livestock, industrial assets, and collector cars will remain straightforward and efficient. Our unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous growth is what drives us forward, and we’re excited to keep serving you for decades to come.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of innovation, service, and shared success!
If you’re in the market to buy or sell farm equipment, construction machinery, transportation vehicles, industrial assets, real estate, livestock or collector cars – visit BigIron today and register to bid.
