Used tractors, trucks and field kitchens – such finds can be made at the surplus auctions of the Finnish Defence Forces, which have been held in Kalkku, Tampere for 70 years. The auctions are organised by Millog, a provider of life-cycle support services for the Defence Forces, whose duties also include disposing of and recycling used materials and equipment as well as selling it at auctions and the SA military surplus store.
On the best days, the auctions draw more than one thousand visitors to the large depot area. At the 70th anniversary auction in Kalkku, even the rainy weather did not discourage people. It was like being in a market. Deals were struck, and used goods found new owners. The purpose of the auctions is to convert materials disposed of by the army into cash that will end up in state coffers. For sale are vehicles such as trucks, passenger cars and tractors. Field kitchens are also popular sales articles. “We don’t want to promise too much when it comes to the condition of the goods. They are sold as scrap that has been disposed of. Auctioned items go to collectors or for use as a complete unit or as spare parts,” says Heikki Välimäki, head of post-processing at Millog, who has been involved in the Defence Forces’ auctions since the 1970s.
New uses for old goods
Many new uses are found for goods on sale at the auctions. “For example, old army field kitchens can be seen in marketplaces and at other public events. Field kitchens have been sold to catering services and organisers of adventure trips, who sometimes need to cook for large groups of people. You can often see a model 29 field kitchen in use,” Välimäki says. “Vehicles, such as buses or tractors, may be repaired for use by their new owners or end up as spare parts. Off-road trucks have been bought by event organisers, who have restored them for off-road driving activities,” Välimäki continues. Vehicles sold at the auctions have often been used by the Defence Forces for so long that they are not suitable for continuous driving any more. However, they may be useful for their new owners for lighter uses. “Materials are disposed of when, for example, the Defence Forces stop using a certain system or when materials are no longer suitable for use in the long run,” Välimäki explains.
Event with long traditions
The first post-war auction of the Finnish defence establishment was held at the ‘Pitkäniemi depot’ (vehicle repair depot) on 29 December 1944, in order to dispose of surplus equipment. In those days, there was a shortage of virtually all consumer goods in Finland, so the items sold at the auction were really needed. Articles such as bicycles were auctioned the first time round, and vehicles were sold the following year. Ever since 1944, the event has been organised every year, so the surplus auction in Kalkku has become a tradition. It takes place twice a year: in May and October. The event does not need much marketing, since those who are interested are already aware of it. “Sometimes it has been raining almost horizontally, but that hasn’t kept the buyers away. I have known many of the customers for decades. We also have customers from several generations,” Välimäki says. In addition to everyday goods, collectibles such as ZIL trucks are sold at the auctions. Collectors are also established customers. The 70th anniversary auction held in Kalkku in October displayed military vehicles from decades ago, purchased by collectors at auctions and then skilfully restored, as well as an exhibition of historical trench art.
Defence Forces also do online auctions
Seven auctions in all were held in Kalkku and elsewhere in Finland this year. Since 2009, the auctions have been organised by Millog, a Patria subsidiary and a strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces. The services provided by Millog include life-cycle support services for Army materiel. These include disposing of and recycling used materials and equipment and selling them at auctions and military surplus stores, called SA stores, located in Hämeenlinna, Jyväskylä and Oulu. A Millog military surplus store is occasionally present at an auction. The stores sell items no longer used by the Defence Forces at a fixed unit price. The surplus store at the 70th anniversary auction in Kalkku sold skis, toolboxes and bags, along with other equipment. Some of the used items are sold online. In the autumn, the Defence Forces auctioned the remains of a Panzer IV tank online at a record price of over €213,000, attracting international attention. Classified as scrap, the tank was valuable to collectors, but the final price was a surprise to many. The next auctions in Kalkku will be in May and October 2015. Meanwhile, trading will continue at online auctions and the surplus stores. Millog www.millog.fi SA military surplus store www.sa-kauppa.fi Auctions www.huutokaupat.com/puolustusvoimat
