… BACK IN 1982, INTERNATIONAL TRAILER RENTALS (ITR) SPECIALISED IN TRAILER RENTAL, WITH THE FOCUS ON CURTAINSIDE TRAILERS. THE COMPANY EXPERIENCED INCREASED DEMAND FOR THE RENTAL OF REFRIGERATED TRAILERS.
There was no company in Europe specialising exclusively in the rental or these trailers, which possessed the requisite expertise. There was thus a gap in the market so Refrigerated Trailer Rentals Holland BV (RTR) was founded. The management had considerable experience in the logistics sector and set about energetically with 25 refrigerated trailers. The shares in this separate private limited liability company were split between ITR and one of the Managing Directors. RTR was located on Stadionweg in Rotterdam until 1985. The company wanted to relocate to a more accessible location and moved to its current premises on Zuideinde in Barendrecht. This site offered a new industrial estate with sufficient space. The fact the vegetable auction was located ‘around the corner’ was a big advantage. In 1988, RTR expanded with a Belgian branch in the Port of Antwerp. This second site is close to the freeway and directly beside the port.
A family run company
RTR established itself in the market quickly and effectively and underwent steady growth. Current Managing Director Frans de Graaff joined RTR as sales manager in 2000. Frans and RTR clicked and the company wanted to bind him. Frans was given the opportunity to purchase his first shares and jumped at the chance. He expanded his portfolio of shares over time. Christian de Graaff, one of Frans’ sons, joined as Operational Manager in 2014. Eventually Frans was offered to buy all the shares of RTR. Frans involved both his sons in the purchase and Wilbert de Graaff thus joined RTR too. The acquisition was completed in July 2017. Since then, RTR has been a family-run business with every confidence in the future.
Confidence in the future
RTR is a healthy company that is ready for the future. Frans: “The arrival of Christian and Wilbert has guaranteed the continuity of RTR. As in the past, we desire controlled growth”.
“There are still segments in which we are less active and we would like to include these in our client base. We are doing this with modern vehicles, amongst others. We follow the developments of our associates and keep responding to continually evolving needs and regulations. In addition, we seek to utilise the most advanced technologies. We do this by continuing to invest in the fleet. By thinking and acting with the future in mind, our clients are assured of high quality materials that meet the latest standards and criteria. Naturally, we also continue to evaluate our internal processes critically so that we can optimise, digitise and automate them further. We have every confidence in a bright future with many long-term and personal relationships.”
