Aerial Rental Giant Riwal Acquires German Rental Company AFI GmbH
Riwal, one of the world’s largest aerial work platform and telehandler rental specialists, has acquired German rental company AFI GmbH. AFI GmbH, a specialist in the rental of AWPs, telehandlers and forklifts, was founded in 2003 by Günther Aust. Today the company operates a fleet of 1,300 machines from nine branches in Germany and has 110 employees.
Aust will continue to lead the company during the next three months and will continue as an advisor for at least nine more months. Søren Rosenkrands, Riwal chief operating officer, will be in charge of the integration of the two companies. The existing business of Riwal Germany will continue to be managed by Riwal’s Nick Field.
“Riwal and AFI GmbH are a strong fit as both companies are specialists in powered access and have a strong customer focus,” said Riwal CEO Norty Turner. “In line with its growth strategy, the acquisition of AFI GmbH allows Riwal to strengthen its position in Germany, one of the largest access equipment rental markets in Europe. It will provide our German customers as well as our international key accounts with national coverage in Germany, helping us to provide the best customer experience.”
“I am proud that the company we have developed since 2003 is now joining forces with one of the global leaders in powered access rental,” added Aust. “It will allow for further growth in the German market and will provide development opportunities for the employees. In the period ahead, I will closely work for Riwal to ensure a successful integration between the two companies.”
Riwal, based in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, has 67 branches in 16 countries, with 14,000 machines, and conducts business in 60 countries.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.