Renovation specialist Mattias Vanderstraeten from Opwijk, Flemish Brabant, was looking for woodworking tools. Interior designer Willem Schulpen from Alblasserdam had these available for sale after selling his business. They found each other through Troostwijk Auctions.

Circular Business Philosophy

Mattias Vanderstraeten runs a renovation company and works with a circular business philosophy, preferring to use reclaimed materials. Troostwijk Auctions serves as a cost-effective supply channel for machines and tools. “I noticed on Troostwijk’s website that a carpentry company in the Netherlands, Ritmeester BV, was selling tools. The advantage of Troostwijk is that you can find second-hand items at a significantly lower price than on classified ad sites, and most importantly, you receive invoices. For a company, that’s desirable—this rarely happens on the regular second-hand market. Since we are a circular company, it’s also important to me that we can reuse panel materials. This aligns perfectly with our corporate values.”

Super Handy Troostwijk App

Through the auction, Mattias acquired a well-maintained table saw, a belt sander, and some panel materials. “The Troostwijk app was very handy for bidding and following up,” says Mattias. “If you’re looking for something, the app provides a quick and detailed description of the current lots, and you always know the exact status of your dossier.”

A Quarter of the New Price

The pickup day was also well-organized, he nods. “Troostwijk informs you of the days you can pick up your lots, and you know the exact dimensions and weight. The reception was very pleasant: a Troostwijk employee on-site helped us locate our lots. Willem, the seller, even assisted us in loading the items. It was a great experience, especially because we only paid a quarter of the new price, even though there were multiple bidders during the final phase of the auction.”