Riwal opens doors in Dortmund, Germany

Riwal is establishing its first rental business in Germany. It will be managed by ex-Mateco manager Christoph Scheeben at a location near Dortmund Airport in the industrial 'Ruhrgebiet' region.

The new business will start operations at the start of May. Managing director of the German operation will be Søren Rosenkrands, who is managing director of Riwal's Danish business.

Riwal, based in the Netherlands and with rental operations in neighbouring Denmark, Poland and France, said it had been looking for opportunities in Germany for some time.

"It was just a matter of finding the right local people to open up Riwal Germany GmbH", said Dick Schalekamp, Riwal's chief executive officer.

Mr Rosenkrands, who has previously worked with Mr Scheeban, said; "In Christoph we have found the experience, skills and motivation that are needed in order to start, build and manage the Riwal business in Germany successfully."

Mr Scheeben said he was confident about the new operation; "Compared to most other European countries the German access rental business seems to have suffered less and in several industries and areas, like the enormous Ruhr area, short term prospects are positive.

"We believe that with a combination of experienced staff from the industry and the best available equipment of manufacturers like JLG, Genie, Teupen, Wumag, Ruthmann and Holland Lift we can succeed anywhere.

"Obviously our primary focus is to be successful with self propelled and truck mounted aerial work platforms as well as telehandlers in the 'Ruhrgebiet'. However for the coming years, we will also be looking at other parts of Germany to penetrate with the help of the Team Riwal members in Denmark, France and Poland. We aim to add more depots in areas that will bring profitable business.

"We also seek co-operation with other rental companies, a formula that has proved well for Riwal in other regions in the past."