Saint-Gobain, founded in 1953, is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of construction materials. The business manages sites across the UK, producing innovative and sustainable products for housing, infrastructure, energy, and commercial projects.
Closing a foundry is never easy, particularly when it has been a cornerstone of a community like Melton Mowbray for decades. When Saint-Gobain made the difficult decision to close its site, the focus shifted to managing the transition with dignity, transparency and professionalism.
The challenge was significant: a 9 acre facility filled with over 313 assets ranging from overhead cranes and generators to racking, moulding machines and testing equipment. Every piece carried both operational and emotional weight. Saint-Gobain needed a partner who could not only maximise financial return but also ensure a sustainable outcome, keeping valuable assets in use rather than scrapped.
NCM Auctions approached the project with sensitivity and expertise, helping the business navigate a challenging time while delivering measurable results for both the company and the wider community.
NCM Auctions designed a tailored asset disposal and marketing strategy.
Project Timeline: Site visit on Oct 1, terms agreed by Nov 27, lotting completed in 3 days during Dec, with the auction live from Dec 20 and ending Feb 20.
Catalogue Scale: 313 items, covering over 300 tons of equipment.
Asset Types: Overhead cranes, weighbridges, lathes, milling machines, conveyors, compressors, generators, transformers, moulding machines, testing equipment, and a range of ancillary items including furniture and racking.
Marketing Reach: £9,000 invested, generating 3.3m ad impressions, over 200,000 link clicks, and 10 PR placements. International interest included bidders from Canada, Pakistan, Belgium, Guyana, Australia, Romania and India.
The auction exceeded expectations across financial, operational and sustainability metrics:
Financial: Original forecast of £400,000 was more than doubled, with revenue reaching £875,000.
Bidding Activity: Catalogue live for 60 days, attracting over 90,000 views, more than 5,000 bids, over 240 bidders, and 55 winning buyers. Bidder to buyer conversion was 24%.
Clearance and Velocity: 85% of lots collected within 14 days, delivering a rapid site handover.
Sustainability: 100% of assets were reused, avoiding scrap and preventing 500 tonnes of CO₂e emissions.
