Boels Rental, a leading player in the European equipment rental industry, will acquire aerial work platforms (AWP) leader Riwal.

Completion of the acquisition is subject to certain customary conditions to be fulfilled, including, among others, approvals by the relevant competition authorities.

Financial details of the acquisition have not been revealed.

This strategic move aligns with Boels Rental’s ambitious growth strategy to become the number one rental partner of choice in Europe, solidifying presence in existing markets, expanding into new territories, and enlarging its AWP fleet.

Boels and Riwal both hold strong market positions in their respective markets. In European regions where their presence overlaps, Boels and Riwal will leverage their combined experience and resources. But the prospective acquisition also opens doors to new markets, like Spain and France. 

Where Boels can rely on a dense European network, Riwal has a global footprint with branches in India and Qatar. After integration, Boels will be positioned for significant growth and profitability due to the increased geographical footprint and strong foundation of general rental, complemented with specialist rental divisions.  

Riwal’s expertise in AWPs adds a new dimension to Boels’ product and service line-up. With over 60% of the Riwal fleet already electrified, the acquisition aligns with Boels’ commitment to sustainability. “With a combined fleet of over 55,000 AWPs and additional expertise and services, we are confident in meeting the highest customer standards, enabling us to deliver unparalleled customer service to keep our customers going,” says CEO Pierre Boels.

Boels was established in 1977, while Riwal has been in operation since 1968. Both are  family-owned and have achieved strong growth over the years. 

The acquisition follows Riwal’s withdrawal from the UK market last year. The company admitted it had struggled to gain market share in the competitive UK environment.

Boels says the prospective addition of Riwal not only strengthens Boels’ market position and AWP portfolio, it also fortifies its commitment to customer satisfaction, innovation and sustainability. The increased network of branches will enable fast transportation to any worksite to keep customers going while user-friendly online platforms will ensure quick and easy ordering and handling. 

“Combined with the wealth of knowledge and experience of AWPs that Riwal employees bring to the table, Boels is ready to embrace new challenges and soar to even greater heights,” the company says in a statement.

Boels Rental has over 7,200 employees and more than 730 stores in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and Slovakia. 

In April 2017 Boels acquired the SupplyUK group, having 25 locations in the United Kingdom.