COMPANYHISTORIES
NAIC 561990

Auctioneering Service, on a Commission or Fee Basis, Not Done on Own Facilities (Except Currency and Tobacco)

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

4companies1923–1987founding years4still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedEcolab Inc.
1923
FoundedAsplundh Tree Expert Co.
1928
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedRitchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc.
1963
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedAqua Alliance Inc.
1987
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Ecolab Inc. →
Active · founded 1923
Ecolab Inc.
Asplundh Tree Expert Co. →
Active · founded 1928
Asplundh Tree Expert Co.
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. →
Active · founded 1963 · Canada
Ritchie Bros.
Aqua Alliance Inc. →
Active · founded 1987
Formerly known as Air & Water Technologies Corporation, Aqua Alliance Inc.
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