18.06.2007

Arise Sir Dick Schalekamp

Dick Schalekamp Senior has been made a Ridder in de Orde van Oranje Nassau (Knight of the Royal Order of Orange-Nassau) for his voluntary work over more than three decades during which time he gave his time and financial support for a number of clubs, foundations and charities all the time while building up the business he founded.
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Dick Schalekamp and his wife Maria at the award ceremony

The award was presented on April 27.with the associated medal handed to him by the mayor of Dordrecht, Ronald Bandell, on behalf of Queen Beatrix. His wife Maria and proud sons Jaap and Dick attended the ceremony. We apologise for the late report but we only discovered this information by accident last week.
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Dick Schalekamp receives his medal with a typical laugh and a smile

Schalekamp set up Richards & Wallington International, the Dutch division of the UK based crane rental company in 1968. He bought the business out in 1980 after Richards and Wallington ran into financial difficulties. The business was renamed Riwal in 1987 when it added an access division.

Vertikal Comment

Few people in the crane industry deserve such an award more than Dick Schalekamp, he has been a stalwart of the crane industry in Holland and further a field since he started out in the 1960’s.

He has always had time for others, would always make time to see you if you stopped by unannounced, always ready with a big smile and a twinkle in the eye. While he does not make a habit of talking of his charitable work, it is not difficult to imagine that he has been generous over the years with his time and money. He is just that type of man.

The business that he built up has now been taken to new heights by his sons and is a highly successful international business, one that does credit to the founding father.