What Black Star ACA does

Black Star ACA (Black Star ACA, LLC) is a privately held, family-owned heavy equipment auction, appraisal, and dispersal company headquartered in Garden City, Georgia, with twelve US offices spanning operations, sales, marketing, finance, technology, and warehouse functions. Founded by the LeMaster family in 2018, the company serves contractors, fleet managers, equipment owners, financial institutions, and retiring/closing business owners across 48 US states with a buyer base extending to over one million potential buyers across 90 countries.

The company's core products are organized around five service pillars: timed online and live virtual heavy equipment auctions, USPAP-compliant equipment appraisals (Full Inspection, Un-inspected, Hybrid, Asset Verification), full-service complete dispersals for retiring or downsizing businesses, equipment sourcing/equipment searches against off-market inventory, and a nationwide remarketing program for repossessed equipment operating across 700+ storage facilities. Supporting infrastructure includes two proprietary storefronts (storefront.blackstaraca.com and blackstaracaone.com) and distribution integrations with four third-party auction platforms — AuctionTime, EquipmentFacts, Proxibid, and BidSpotter. Appraisals follow USPAP standards using Market, Cost, and Income approaches, with credentials including Certified Senior Appraiser (CSA) and Equipment Appraisers of North America (EANA) officer designations.

Revenue is generated through a mix of transaction-based and professional-services fees: auction commissions and buyer's premiums on equipment sales (transaction fees), plus per-engagement fees for appraisals, residual value reports, equipment searches, and complete dispersals (the latter typically structured as multi-year contracts with custom service packages). Pricing is quote-based across professional services and varies by equipment type and sale on the auction side. The go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, combining dedicated sales executives handling inbound and outbound outreach, timed and auctioneer-led virtual auctions, strategic partnerships with financing and logistics providers (QuickFi, First Citizens Bank, Mazo Capital, BBLog LLC, Lease Finance Partners), and content marketing including a Machinery Pete podcast appearance, industry publications, and an active social presence.

Name

Black Star ACA

Legal name

Black Star ACA, LLC

Website

https://blackstaraca.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heavy Equipment Auctions & Appraisals

NAICS

Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385)

SIC

Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Real Estate Auction Services (FSAEAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Insurance Replacement Cost & Damage/Loss Valuation (BPAJAKAL)

Keywords

• Heavy equipment auctions
• Equipment appraisals
• Fleet dispersals
• Equipment remarketing
• Residual value reports

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Auction Commissions: Earns commissions on equipment sold through timed online auctions and live virtual auctions. Sellers list equipment and Black Star manages the entire sale process.
2. Buyer's Premium: Additional percentage charge on top of equipment selling price paid by buyers. Rate varies depending on equipment type and sale.
3. Equipment Appraisals: USPAP-compliant appraisal services including Full Inspection, Un-inspected, Hybrid, and Asset Verification appraisals for insurance, financing, estate planning, and legal purposes.
4. Desktop Residual Value Reports: Comprehensive desktop reports for future value projections of equipment, serving lenders and equipment owners/operators.
5. Complete Dispersals: Full-service fleet liquidation managing entire dispersal process including inventory, photography, marketing, sales, and logistics for retiring businesses or fleet realignments.
6. Equipment Searches: Sourcing service matching customer needs to available inventory within network, accessing off-market inventory through nationwide dealer network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Black Star ACA operates a heavy equipment auction, appraisal, and dispersal business. The company sells, finds, and appraises heavy equipment for contractors, fleet managers, equipment owners, and financial institutions through timed online auctions, live virtual (auctioneer-led) auctions, USPAP-compliant appraisals, full-service fleet liquidations, residual value reports, and equipment sourcing services. Revenue is generated primarily via seller commissions, buyer premiums, and professional service fees.

Product overview

Black Star ACA operates as a heavy equipment auction and appraisal company offering a unified suite of services centered around equipment sales, valuations, and fleet liquidations. The core offerings include Heavy Equipment Auctions (timed and live online formats), Equipment Appraisals (USPAP-compliant valuations), Complete Dispersals (full-service fleet liquidation), Desktop Residual Value Reports, Equipment Searches, and Remarketing Services for Financial Institutions. These services work together to serve contractors, fleet managers, equipment owners, and financial institutions across 48 states and globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heavy Equipment Auctions Timed online and live virtual auctioneer-led auctions for selling heavy equipment, reaching over one million potential buyers in 90 countries. Open to contractors, fleet managers, and equipment owners looking to sell individual units or entire fleets.
• Equipment Appraisals USPAP-compliant equipment appraisals including Full Inspection, Un-inspected, Hybrid, and Asset Verification formats for insurance, financing, estate planning, and legal purposes. Used by banks, courts, insurance companies, and the IRS.
• Complete Dispersals Full-service fleet liquidation service managing the entire dispersal process including inventory, photography, marketing, sales, and logistics for retiring businesses, fleet realignments, or company closures.
• Desktop Residual Value Reports Comprehensive desktop reports for future equipment value projections developed in strict conformity with USPAP standards using Market, Cost, and Income approaches. Targeted at lenders and equipment owners/operators.
• Equipment Searches Sourcing service matching customer equipment needs to available inventory through off-market access and a nationwide dealer network, used by contractors, municipalities, and fleet managers looking for specific equipment.
• Remarketing Services for Financial Institutions Repossessed equipment remarketing service for banks and lenders, including transportation, storage, make-ready preparation, market positioning, targeted sales channels, transaction management, and reporting across 700+ nationwide storage facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seller payment within 30 days after buyer funds cleared
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lease Finance Partners (LFP)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 February 2024Strategic partnership announced February 23, 2024 bringing together Black Star's commitment to quality and service with LFP's standing as a 2023 Top 10 equipment leasing and financing company. LFP is the only Top 10 firm leasing used heavy equipment acquired through auctions. Black Star referrals benefit from preferred leasing rates, opening new financial possibilities for businesses seeking equipment without significant upfront investments.
• ELFA (Equipment Leasing and Finance Association)minorOthersBlack Star is a member of ELFA, demonstrating commitment to the equipment leasing and finance industry standards and best practices.
• AEMP (Association of Equipment Management Professionals)minorOthersBlack Star is a member of AEMP, an association for equipment management professionals.
• BBLog LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTransportation partner providing logistics and equipment loadout coordination services for buyers and sellers.
• QuickFiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancing partner enabling buyers to secure financing for equipment purchases through QuickFi's platform.
• AuctionTimeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party auction platform partner listing Black Star equipment auctions online.
• EquipmentFactsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party auction platform partner for live online equipment auctions.
• ProxibidminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party auction platform partner for live online equipment auctions.
• BidSpotterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party auction platform partner for equipment auction listings.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Proxibid: Online auction marketplace that hosts heavy equipment auctions for many auctioneers, including Black Star. Functions as an enabling channel partner/distribution platform rather than a direct auctioneer competitor.

Direct peers

• IronPlanet: Online heavy equipment auction marketplace (now part of Ritchie Bros.) running timed and inspection-based auctions for contractors and dealers. Direct overlap with Black Star's online auction model and customer segments.
• AccuVal-LiquiTec: Equipment appraisal and liquidation firm producing USPAP-compliant valuations for lenders, insurers and legal proceedings. Directly comparable to Black Star's Certified Senior Appraiser practice and equipment valuation services.
• Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers: The largest global equipment auctioneer operating IronPlanet and other platforms across construction, transportation and agricultural assets. Directly comparable to Black Star on heavy equipment live online and timed auctions with similar customer base, but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• J.J. Kane Auctioneers: Specialized equipment auction company focused on transportation and heavy equipment across multiple online and live formats. Comparable to Black Star in equipment categories served and auction-style distribution.
• Heritage Global Partners: Industrial asset disposition and auction firm providing machinery and equipment liquidation, appraisal and auction services to financial institutions and corporate clients. Comparable to Black Star's remarketing and dispersal offerings.
• Maynards Industries: Industrial auction and liquidation firm handling complete plant and fleet disposals, working with the same contractor and OEM customer base. Overlaps Black Star on complete dispersal mandates and equipment valuation.
• BigIron Auctions: Online-only heavy equipment and agricultural auction company serving sellers across the US with timed auctions and direct buyer outreach. Closely mirrors Black Star's online auction model in agriculture and construction equipment verticals.
• Alex Lyon & Sons Auctioneers: Multi-generational equipment auctioneer running live and online auctions for construction, transportation and farm equipment. Direct competitor to Black Star with comparable customer base and dispersal services.
• Hilco Industrial: Industrial asset disposition firm offering appraisals, valuations and auction services for machinery and equipment. Directly comparable to Black Star's appraisal and dispersal offerings, with a stronger institutional/lender footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlackStarACA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDvXTUjT4n52jr5ZiTBrQhg
• Facebookfacebook.com/blackstaraca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blackstaraca

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black Star ACA