21.05.2025

HDW acquires Kwak

Dutch aerial lift and telehandler distributor HDW has acquired Ruthmann truck mount and Bluelift spider lift distributor Kwak Hoogwerker Centrum.

HDW has been the Versalift distributor for many years and already has the distribution rights for Ruthmann in Belgium, Poland and the Czech Republic. This and the fact that Ruthmann and Versalift are moving ever closer, made this move a logical one, and also came at a time when Kwaak owner Guido Van Gestel was ready to make such a deal.

Kwaak is based in Almere and has been the official Ruthmann distributor since 1957 when it traded as Elektrotechniek and was based in Amsterdam. It became Kwaak in 1977 when it took on the name of the then managing director Herman Kwak.The company has been led by Guido van Gestel as owner and chief executive since 2002, having joined the company in 1999. Kwak offers sales, services, repairs and inspects any type or make of aerial work platform.

HDW managing director Andries Schouten said: "We are very pleased to welcome the Ruthmann brand and the entire Kwak team to HDW. It is great to be able to distribute a top product like Ruthmann in the Netherlands. This acquisition completes our delivery programme, so that we can offer the customer a solution for every need when it comes to vehicle mounted aerial work platforms, telehandlers and rough terrain forklifts".

Guido Van Gestel of Kwak added: "Our current complete team of employees will become part of the HDW family and our current customers will benefit enormously from the extensive possibilities in terms of stock, service and financing, in which HDW is strong. I am proud and have full confidence in a strong future".

HDW also distributes Genie, Manitou, Versalift, Teupen and Safelift products, the company was founded in 1982 by Wim Haasbroek, Frans van den Dool and Bas van de Wetering, to distribute Coles cranes after their previous company Van Kranenburg had gone into bankruptcy. It became a sister company of sales and rental company Gunco under Pon ownership both of which were acquired by TVH in 2011.

Finally Guido Van Gestel also added a more personal note for his colleagues and customers saying: “This is the right choice at the right time, my thanks go to my colleagues JanWillem Loohuizen, who has been working at Kwak for nine months longer than I have, and Mats Kraamer, who has been with us for more than seven years, after having done an internship with us as well as Gerard Post our 'spiderman', who successfully launched and marketed the Bluelift product for us."

"Thanks also to colleagues who experienced part of the trip, Annemarie Lustig and Arjen J Vonk and a big thank you to all our customers for their contribution to our success. I enjoyed the relationships built up and the contacts and am convinced that they are in good hands with HDW, Andries Schouten and Remko Jonkergouw. Thanks for starting the process that we have now completed."