Reading time: 4 minutes
July 15, 2021, was a very dark day for the people of the Ahr valley in Germany. Record rainfall caused devastating flooding that would eventually claim 135 lives. Life in the affected region has never been the same since. From the very first day, Boels Rental has been on call every day to help the heavily affected towns in the Ahr valley, providing support to rebuild the homes, facilities and infrastructure.
The small town of Dernau has 640 homes and is completely enveloped by steep walls covered with pinot noir vines. Today the Ahr river meanders calmly through the village, but in 2021 it surged to a breadth of up to 600 metres. All the cranes, the construction trucks driving in and out, and the buildings that still needing restoration are remnants of Germany’s biggest post-war catastrophe.
More than a professional bond
Account manager Jean-Pierre Schenk works at the temporary Boels depot. Together with local mayor David Fuhrmann and reconstruction committee chairman Martin Schell, all three men have one thing in common. They all hail from the town and endured the flood disaster first hand. It has created a bond that is goes further than professionalism in this small and close-knit community.
David explains: “The water that raged through the narrow streets of our wine village reached up to nine metres. Property and people were swept away. Cars were thrown upside down into the cemetery, the railway was completely ruined, power lines and sewage pipes gave way, an oil slick drifted through the village, practically every bridge was destroyed, wine barrels holding valuable wines were all but lost, people had to swim for their lives and, saddest of all, 11 town residents lost their lives. A story that really puts things in perspective.”
One location for all your material needs
The depot opened its doors in February 2022, simplifying the rental process in order to speed up reconstruction of the region. “It’s actually to the crisis team’s credit that this depot is here at all. They saw the added value for the residents and seized that chance. The residents of Dernau have made grateful use of it, too”, David reflects. “The fact that it ended up being Boels depot, that’s entirely Martin doing thanks to his approach, his understanding towards the people in the region, and the rapport he has with us,” adds Martin Schell.
“It’s hard to imagine the tragedy that took place here. Did you know the Boels depot we’re in now was built on land where the grapevines used to be before the flood? It’s a good example of how we responded quickly and decisively together with the authorities and our partners, with the sole purpose of solving the situation for the people living here as well and as quickly as possible.”
Flexible service and quick solutions when needed
What David is mainly referring to is the crucial role of Boels Area Manager Martin Rataj in getting things moving. Martin didn’t hesitate when he saw the first images from the disaster area. These people had an emergency and could really use our help. “Martin was one of the first from the rental sector on the scene to help us. The feeling we got from him felt right from the start. Here was someone we had a connection with. He wasn’t pushy and earnestly thought with us. If Martin said he could deliver, he made sure of it. Partly thanks to his efforts and the help of the hundreds of other companies, government aid and private donations, we have managed to get a lot of work done. His positive approach to the situation meant he soon became part of our crisis team,” Martin Schell recounts enthusiastically. Especially the convenience of working with Boels locally. “They are always incredibly helpful. It was relatively easy for us to get the equipment we needed without too much ‘red tape’. Martin, and later Jean-Pierre, have always been there when we needed them. I’ll always remember that when I think back to Boels during the reconstruction.”
“At one point, the town needed 1,000 machines and we had to come up with a plan to get them to the town and make sure they could operate there safely. Everywhere you looked there was Boels equipment at work.”
Getting it done together
This month marks exactly three years since Dernau was hit by the flood. Although we will never forget, we want to look towards the future together with the local authorities and our many partners, including Boels. Rebuilding the kindergarten, the sports field and playground is the next priority on the agenda, as well as repairing the railway line that once connected the region.
“One third of the damage has now been repaired, and it may take another 10 years before everything is completely rebuilt.”
Boels is at your service
Jean-Pierre Schenk is responsible for the region on behalf of Boels. He joined Boels almost three years ago. His appointment was a direct result of the flood disaster. “Boels was looking for someone in Dernau to help build a new depot. It was an wonderful chance for me to take that step in my own town, especially now. We currently have four colleagues working here, two of whom also saw the disaster up close. We know the people here and their mentality like no one else. That helps us a lot to do our work well.”
“From our depot in Dernau, we serve the largest construction site in the whole of Germany”
Temporary Boels depot
Boels delivered a large number of machines from its Dutch and German branches in the first weeks after the disaster. These were mainly machines for the rougher work during the first months, followed later by smaller, more specific equipment. And even later, when the large construction companies arrived in the valley, heavy machinery was deployed. Because of this continuous demand from all sectors, it was decided at the end of 2021 that Boels would be the only supplier allowed to place a temporary depot.
“The crisis team was quick to see that machinery and tools were also needed for years to come, and not just for the months after the disaster.”
