Auction Bidding

The United Flower Growers Co-Op Association, located in Burnaby, British Columbia, sells fresh cut flowers and potted plants.

This is a project in process. Dennis Lawson of UFGCA designed and is implementing a software system running the largest "Dutch Style" auction in North America.

There is no sales mechanism that can sell as fast as this style of auction. The selling price starts higher than market price, and then drops until a customer makes a purchase.

Designing and testing software for 3 years, they are replacing an auction system that has been in operation since 1999.  The auction system is complicated and has been designed in house.  

"All of our software is designed in house and created with our auction sub-contractor that has been working with us for 30 years. I have been with UFGCA for 24," says Lawson.  "He and I then find hardware solutions to match our needs."

"The X-keys are used in the bidding process.  Their main function is stopping the clock to make a purchase. They also switch between the three auctions and switch between accounts as we have many customers that purchase for more than one company." 

The UFGCA auction business:
• 6 flower growers formed our Cooperative in 1963
• Largest "Dutch Style" auction in North America
• 3 silent auctions run simultaneously
• Transaction speeds of 2000 per hour, up to 3000 per hour peak
• Over 2 million items sold per year (153 auctions per year)
• Every transaction (sale) is completed in 2.5 seconds
• Customer base of over 500
• Supplier base of over 130
• Employee count over 120
• Site 13 acres, building footprint 176,000 square feet, 225,000 total

The auction is computerized with a steady pace, running continuous from start to finish. Thousands of different items are sold each auction to hundreds of customers. The sales efficiency is impressive. All product gets labeled and delivered to customers within 2 hours of being sold.

Thanks to Dennis Lawson and UFGCA for sharing their story and beautiful images.