Riwal appoints ex-HERC executive Norty Turner as new CEO

In a surprise move Riwal has appointed former Hertz Equipment Rental Corp (HERC) executive Norty Turner as its new chief executive officer, replacing Dick Schalekamp who will continue to play an active role in the company and serve on the supervisory board.

The appointment sees Riwal recruit an experienced US rental executive to lead the company in the "next phase" of its international growth. Mr Turner, who has been based at HERC's European head office in Paris for the past three years, has worked with HERC for 17 years and was most recently its vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

In addition to managing HERC's European rental businesses in France and Spain he had been overseeing HERC's start-up operation in Saudi Arabia.

IRN understands that Mr Turner left Hertz a few weeks ago. He will take up his new post on 1 March.

Riwal said that Mr Schalekamp, who joined the firm in 1986, will continue "his intensive involvement focusing on initiating international business development, international sales, purchasing relationships, and mergers and acquisitions." Riwal's supervisory board consists of Doron Livnat (chairman), Dick Schalekamp (president) and Willem Ledeboer.

Mr Schalekamp said Mr Turner will take on the overall leadership of Riwal "to realize our ambition of becoming the leading AWP rental specialist in Europe. With his depth of industry experience, his ability to develop highly motivated teams, his background of improving organizational efficiency and his results-driven management approach, Norty is the ideal leader to take over as Riwal's new CEO".

Riwal's Willem Ledeboer paid tribute to Mr Schalekamp's contribution to the growth of Riwal; "Dick Schalekamp has proven to be an outstanding entrepreneur, resulting in a prominent position for Riwal in numerous countries. He played an active role initiating the current company strategy. The next phase for the company allows for a new CEO to lead the roll out of Riwal's defined corporate strategy".

Riwal employs 800 people in 16 countries and has a fleet of 13000 aerial platforms and telehandlers.