VRR's origins date back to 1946. Two brothers, Steef and Adri van Riemsdijk, were previously employed at Koolhoven Aircraft in Rotterdam at the Waalhaven (harbour area). During WW II their employer ceased business. Having gained vast experience as sheet metal workers for production of Koolhoven aircrafts, the two brothers decided to set up their own sheet metal company.
The company was called Gebroeders (Brothers) van Riemsdijk where both brothers manufactured products such as aluminium car bodies, steel scaffolding equipment, military ground support equipment, boats, assembly lines and much more.
In the early '70s, Steef's son Ron made his entrance into the company. Not long thereafter the company was taken over by Ron, where he set up a new side-business; aviation products.
As time passed by, the company specialised in complex low-volume air cargo products. Finding dedicated solutions in the early '80s for livestock transport by freighter aircraft led to a series of products providing operational relief and solving (logistic) bottlenecks for many airline customers around the globe.
A booming air cargo sector and innovative products made the company expand gradually. During the first international expansion, the first part of the name 'Gebroeders' proved difficult to pronounce for those not Dutch. The company name transformed into Van Riemsdijk Rotterdam from the mid '80s and this is the name many people know us by still.
A slightly diversified focus remained for many years. The core business had shifted from scaffolding and ground support equipment to light(er) weight air cargo equipment. Both product groups were provided to different customers in different markets, albeit manufactured in separate facilities.
With the official introduction of a new generation and board of directors in 2006, the scope of work offered to the industry narrowed - a pure focus to the aviation and other technologically advanced markets was endorsed. Gentlemen Geert van Riemsdijk and Norbert van der Welle head the company as directors.
VRR established a sales office in Singapore in 2007 to offer our Asian customer base frontline support. In addition, we moved our maintenance facility to Amsterdam Airport for a more focused approach to our maintenance services and to cut down on transport times. Last but not least, we even dared to
introduce our trade name - the company is known as VRR ever since.
A long history, a great future. Hope you will be part of our history, present and future. To be continued.
