IronPlanet recently liquidated $6.08 million of gross merchandise volume for Western States Contracting of Myton, Utah.

“This was our biggest sale ever with IronPlanet,” said Weston Adams with Western States Contracting. “We had some very specialized equipment in this auction and we were able to get a lot more than we expected for it. IronPlanet knew the equipment and where to find the buyers. They went above and beyond, working really well with our mechanics and our entire team to make this sale a success. We are very pleased with the result.”

As 2012 draws to a close, many construction companies are looking to 2013 with hope. The industry has improved markedly in the past year. For example, construction spending in October surpassed projections of a 0.5 percent increase, instead growing an impressive 1.4 percent month-over-month, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. This drove the annual rate of spending up to about $872 billion, marking the highest level since September 2009. Experts are projecting the growth will continue gradually in 2013, making the new year a good time to buy and sell used construction equipment.

This week, there are so many items available in the Featured Auction that IronPlanet has extended the sale an extra day. The auction will begin on Wednesday, December 12 and continue through Thursday. Interested buyers may want to head to the online auction site to browse through more than 1,200 listings for used construction equipment, agriculture equipment, tools, parts, trucks and more. This will give them a chance to find the goods they need ahead of the sale so they are ready to bid. Here are a few highlights from this week's sale.

On November 8, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Political Action Committee (AEMPAC) hosted its annual Academy Awards Night Gala at the Terranea Resort near Los Angeles, Calif. IronPlanet's Ron McClain volunteered his services to help the committee raise over $71,000 in ticket and auction sales. The live auction featured items donated by Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) members.