The Riwal story
The Riwal story
The Riwal story is a story of nearly continual growth and evolution dating back to 1968. That was the year that Dick Schalekamp Sr. became General Manager of the Dutch-based division of British crane rental firm Richards & Wallington. Twelve years later, Dick Schalekamp bought the Dutch company.
Passing the torch
The scope of operations was expanded by creating a separate company in 1986 specialising in the rental of aerial work platforms. That firm, Riwal Lift (the name comes from the first letters of Richards and Wallington) was the forerunner of the current Riwal.
In 1998, thirty years after the founding of Richards & Wallington International, both cranes and aerial work platforms were brought together in a new unified company – Riwal. The company prospered, growing to become the fifth largest crane rental company in the Netherlands, but until 2001, it remained primarily a Dutch firm, rarely venturing outside of its home base.
Going international
Recent years have seen a number of changes, beginning in 2001 with the establishment of Riwal Scandinavia in Denmark. In 2007 Riwal exited the crane rental business to focus exclusively on aerial work platforms. A period of steady expansion ensued with Riwal putting roots down all across Europe, and setting up operations as well in the Middle East, India, and Kazakhstan. Since 2013 the company is fully owned by ProDelta, a Dutch-based investment firm. Currently, Riwal employs over 1700 people, has 67 depot operations in 16 countries, operates over 14,500 machines and conducts business in over 65 countries.
The Riwal Way
To realize its ambition to deliver the best customer experience in the industry, Riwal has embraced a business approach that incorporates best practices within and outside the organization. It is delivering a continually improving offer of quality and service for its customers wherever they are operating worldwide. This approach, aptly named The Riwal Way, has been transforming Riwal’s operations since 2013.
Recent years have seen a number of changes, beginning in 2001 with the establishment of Riwal Scandinavia in Denmark. In 2007 Riwal exited the crane rental business to focus exclusively on aerial work platforms. A period of steady expansion ensued with Riwal putting roots down all across Europe, and setting up operations as well in the Middle East, India, and Kazakhstan. Since 2013 the company is fully owned by ProDelta, a Dutch-based investment firm. Currently, Riwal employs over 1700 people, has 67 depot operations in 16 countries, operates over 14,500 machines and conducts business in over 65 countries.
The Riwal Way
To realize its ambition to deliver the best customer experience in the industry, Riwal has embraced a business approach that incorporates best practices within and outside the organization. It is delivering a continually improving offer of quality and service for its customers wherever they are operating worldwide. This approach, aptly named The Riwal Way, has been transforming Riwal’s operations since 2013.