04.09.2024

Manfred Gerken 1937-2024

We have learnt belatedly that Manfred Gerken, the founder and managing director of German rental group Gerken has died.

He passed away on May 28th at the age of 86 after a short period of ill health. Over the years Gerken has been something of a pioneer, playing a key role in supercharging the the relatively late development of the German equipment rental market.

Starting off as a master painter in Düsseldorf in 1963 he developed it into a small but growing business. 25 years later, he purchased his first aerial work platform in order to carry out facade painting work more quickly, not to mention in greater safety.

It quickly became apparent that there was pent up demand for such equipment from other tradesmen in the area, and he began lending his machine to others, and then renting it. In 1989, Gerken decided to focus entirely on the work platform rental business and was joined the following year by son Christian.

Seeing the need to eventually develop an outlet for his used machines, while also spotting a profit opportunity he set up GS Arbeitsbühnen as a used equipment sales operation in Hilden, on the edge of Düsseldorf. In 1999 he made a move into the Netherlands, and in 2003 added smaller equipment to the fleet. 2010 saw the arrival of the first 100 metre plus truck mounted work platform, the 103 metre Wumag GL 103 on a five axle Tadano Faun crane chassis. 360 degree telehandlers arrived in 2014 followed by mega scissors – 33 metre working height.
In 2017 the company added spider and mini crawler cranes and then in 2018 jumped way ahead of the pack, with its first all electric truck mounted lift. Earlier this year it announced its entry into the general crane rental market. Gerken's first AT

The Gerken fleet has since grown to more than 9,000 aerial work platforms and operates from 40 locations, including one in the Netherlands.

Manfred Gerken was one the industries visionaries and he most certainly leaves behind a large footprint.