But Boels has its roots as a small local rental company under the leadership of Pierre Boels Sr. Would you like to know more about the journey from 1977 to the present? We would like to take you with us through our history.
Boels history from 1977 to the present
2024
Reaching greater heights
In 2024, Boels acquired Riwal, a renowned company with a rich history and expertise in Aerial Work Platforms (AWP). This acquisition increases our range of aerial work platforms tremendously to over 55,000. With almost 830 branches in 27 countries, the acquisition creates a solid foundation for further growth. With a combined fleet value of EUR 3.6 billion and an expert workforce of almost 8,500 employees, we can meet any customer challenge.
2023
Growth continues
In 2023, Boels acquires five well-established rental companies. BAS Maskinutleie, KraftX AB and Hyresbutiken AB will become part of subsidiary Cramo. Cramo thus strengthens its markets in Norway and Sweden. British Illumin8, a specialist in lighting towers, is added to the Boels Rental portfolio. The knowledge and equipment of lifting and hoisting specialist Safelift will be included in Boels Industrial.
2022
Strong financial results and continuous growth
Boels again reports strong and continuous growth for 2022 with realised sales of almost €1.5 billion. To ensure sustainable growth, Boels invested a total of €551 million in 2022, largely in broadening and deepening its rental fleet. As a result, Boels has the largest rental fleet in Europe with 840,000 items. Read more about the annual figures here.
2022
Boels keeps you going
This year, Boels launches a new positioning with a powerful slogan: Boels keeps you going. Our customers have only one goal: to complete their projects successfully. Even when the pressure is high or the solution complex. We understand that our customers’ work never stops. And neither do they. Whatever the problem, we ensure that our customers’ projects can always continue. Without worries, they can meet any challenge.
2022 • A new positioning Boels keeps you going
2022
Boels Rental launches the new corporate movie
More than 790,000 rental items, 6,900 professionals, 725 branches and active in 18 countries. Watch our new corporate movie and get to know the world of Boels Rental!
2020
Number 2 in Europe and active in 18 countries
In 2020, we acquired the Scandinavian rental company Cramo. This made us the number 2 rental specialist in Europe. We are now active in 18 countries.
2018
The leading international rental company
Boels Rental has expanded even further by adding specialisms in order to be able to provide customers with A to Z solutions. This year, we acquired specialist companies such as Abird, a specialist in industrial rental solutions. Delta Rent, a specialist in petrochemical rental, Amdyte, a specialist in temporary fencing, Van Deuveren Traffic, a specialist in outdoor mobile information equipment rentals, Already Hire, a generalist in equipment rentals in London and Artisan Hire Center, an equipment rental company in southwest England.
2017
The opening of our 400th branch
In 2017, we opened our 400th branch. We also acquired Supply UK, a machine rental company in the United Kingdom. This allowed us to open our first branches in the UK. We also expanded in 2017 with the acquisition of IQ Pass, specialist in temporary access management and security.
2015
This year, we acquired giants such as Racor, specialist in climate and energy rental from the Benelux as well as ToolMatic & Drott. This meant that important specialists joined forces with the Boels group in a kind of shop-in-shop approach in the construction market and earthmoving.
2013 • Boels wins ‘Large Rental Company of the year’ award
2012
We expanded dramatically in Germany through the acquisition of Technorent and Baurent. The acquisition was an important step forward in our growth strategy. After this expansion, we had 123 branches in Germany. Baurent had been active in the German rental market for almost 40 years, and with a turnover of over 32 million euros, it ranked among the major rental companies for construction equipment in Germany.
2012
A new name: Boels Rental
The Boels Rental brand has acquired a powerful and recognisable image over recent years. The most notable features are the striking logo and strong brand colour: orange. Due to our rapid international growth, our trade name was changed to Boels Rental in 2012.
2011 • Pierre Boels Jr. named “Rental Person of the Year''
2009
We opened our first branches in Poland.
2007
Our international growth continues
In 2007, we opened the first depots in Austria, Italy and Slovakia.
2006
The year we expanded into the Czech Republic.
2004 • We celebrated the opening of our 100th depot.
2002
Boels has been in business for 25 years
25 years of Boels in figures: 650 employees, 500 rental points, 65 branches in 3 countries.
2000
Founding of OneCall. A total service package that provides the right solution, enabling you to carry on with your work. One call, one contact person, one solution for all your rental needs
1998
Start of the boom lift rental division.
1996
Pierre Boels Jr. becomes CEO
Pierre Boels Jr. follows in his father’s footsteps and takes over daily management of the company.
“The will to learn, improve and innovate is in our DNA. But the most important factor is our helpful attitude in everything we do. As a team, we keep the promises we make to our customers: the promise to solve their problem.”
– Pierre Boels Jr.
1994
We started with in-shop rental points in DIY stores. This allowed us to also offer private individuals suitable rental solutions.
1993
In 1993, we founded the Boels Portable Kitchens specialism. Since that time, this specialism has grown into the largest supplier of mobile kitchens in Europe.
1992
In 1992, we expanded into Germany and opened our first branch.
1991
Our entrepreneurial spirit led to expansion into other countries in Europe. That is how we expanded into Belgium.
1981
The start of Boels Party and Container
With the Party and Container specialisms under our wings, we grew into a generalist rental company in the Netherlands. Boels Party sells tableware, kitchen utensils and furniture for the catering and events industry.
1980
The first branch opened in Sittard. An important step in the growth of Boels as a local rental company.
1977
Foundation of Boels by Pierre Boels Sr.
Boels was founded in 1977 by Pierre Boels Sr. as a local equipment rental company. We started as a small family business – one with big dreams.
“We started lending more and more tools to friends and acquaintances from the 4 garage units we had. We found that an increasing number of tools were not being returned. Unless we asked for money for them. And that is how we first came to realise that there was a market out there in tool rentals. In 1977 we made the decision. We were no longer going to rent out our garage units, but were going to use them to rent out construction equipment. The first product we ever rented out was an 11 kilo breaker.”
– Pierre Boels Sr.