McConkey Auction Group has had its sights set on Portland for some time.

Now it’s taking the next step.

In a letter from president and CEO Bob McConkey posted on the MAG website, the company announced it will open a new brick-and-mortar auction in Portland, Ore.

In the letter, McConkey said MAG is “expanding our physical auction presence to the Portland market” and has acquired a 17-acre site “right in the heart” of the city.

“While we have a lot of work to do, we plan to be open and have our first sale before the end of the year,” he said.

MAG currently operates two physical auctions — DAA Northwest in its home base of Spokane, Wash., and DAA Seattle – along with the MAG Alaska and MAG Now digital auction platforms, which McConkey said has transformed the company from “a small single-point auction in a wheat field west of Spokane into a Pacific Northwest regional marketplace … stretching its influence throughout Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho and from Anchorage to the San Francisco Bay.”

The addition of a new site in Portland fits neatly into that profile.

“Portland has long been on our radar as a key location for a physical auction location,” McConkey said. “As a major market in the Pacific Northwest, it is a primary location that will allow us to fulfill our goal of fully serving the dealers of this region we call home.

“We know Portland-area dealers have viable auction options. Our goal is to earn your business through a high level of auction competency, ethical and fair business practices, strong, authentic relationships and the building of a strong marketplace. We simply ask for the opportunity to serve.”

Mike Stockton, who McConkey called “a longtime leader and influencer” within MAG, has been named general manager of DAA Portland.

“Mike has a long history with DAA Northwest, growing through our ranks to become a highly competent auction manager and leader,” the CEO said. “We are proud of Mike and are confident in his ability to lead the DAA Portland team.”

McConkey’s letter included a message assuring customers that while the company continues to grow, “our core values have not changed.”

“We are a family-owned business with tenured, committed employees who operate as a family,” he said. “We have a succession of skilled next-generation managers and owners in place.

“We have always been wholly committed to a true partnership with our customers. Our goal is to uniquely partner with and serve the dealers of our region for many years to come. The industry is evolving rapidly, and we are positioned to be relevant into the future.”