Back to 1888, when H.J. Mennens founded his own company. In the heart of Rotterdam's Leuvehaven, he devoted himself from then on to trading in shipping supplies – especially for inland shippers. Discover our rich history in a nutshell.
1888
H.J. Mennens establishes Mennens in Rotterdam. A family business in shipping supplies and sails.
1918
Establishment of Mennens Rotterdam branch in Groningen (later Mennens Groningen).
1931
1931: Establishment of Hollandse Compagnie (later Mennens Amsterdam).
1938
Mennens provides the rigging for the prestigious passenger ship Nieuw Amsterdam, for the Holland-America Line (HAL).
1940
May 14: Mennens is hit by the bombing of Rotterdam. H.J. Mennens continues the business in a residential house on Keileweg.
1945
The occupying forces empty Mennens' warehouse. After liberation, a ship with the stolen contents is found near Groningen.
1949
Mennens moves into new premises on the Wijnhaven in Rotterdam.
1959
Mennens expands into the repair and testing of rigging materials. And increasingly specializes in hoisting and lifting.
1963
Name changed from Hollandse Handelscompagnie to Staalkabel BV on the Turbinestraat in Amsterdam.
1970s
Holland America Line (HAL) acquires a nearly 100% interest in Mennens.
1980s
Mennens becomes part of the Hoogerwerff Group. After acquisition by Verto verenigde staalkabelfabrieken it became Hoogerwerff Group - Verto trading division.
1991
Establishment of branch of Mennens Groningen in Hengelo (later Mennens Hengelo).
Initiator ‘Erkende Keurbedrijven Hijs- en Hefmiddelen (EKH)’
In 1993, Mennens initiated the ‘Erkende Keurbedrijven Hijs- en Hefmiddelen (EKH)’ association and made an important contribution to its establishment. The EKH is committed to ensuring the highest possible level of safety of lifting and hoisting equipment and draws on strict working regulations and inspection schedules based on, among other things, the Working Conditions Act, NEN and the Machinery Directive (Machinerichtlijn). The EKH also provides training and certification for inspectors.
Mennens is an EKH-approved inspection company, and our inspectors work according to the EKH regulations. The trade association checks them randomly.
1994
The Mennens Group is sold to Nationaal Grondbezit.
1995
Den Haan Handel in Gorinchem and Hoogerwerff in Alblasserdam merge as Den Haan - Hoogerwerff in Dongen (later Mennens Dongen).
2000
All branches are named Mennens with place name.
Acquisition of Hoistpartner (now Mennens Belgium).
2002
Mennens Group opens a location in Terneuzen (then Mennens Terneuzen, now a Service Center of Mennens Rotterdam).
2003
The Mennens Group acquires the business from Nationaal Grondbezit through a management buyout.
2011
Acquisition of Safe Site by the Mennens Group.
2012
Mennens part of Axel Johnson International
Axel Johnson International is a leading group from Sweden, operating in the industrial sector. The group manages 200 companies, spread over 34 countries and divided into six business groups: Driveline Solutions, Fluid Handling Solutions, Industrial Automation, Lifting Solutions, Power Transmission Solutions and Transport Solutions. Mennens is part of the Lifting Solutions Group.
Founded in 2002, the Lifting Solutions Group consists of 24 companies in 19 countries. Together, these companies serve customers in a wide range of industries, including offshore, renewables, shipping, automotive manufacturing, ports and engineering.
2014
Mennens Rotterdam moves into a new premises in the Rotterdam area.
2018
Cleanroom Cranes opens its own premises in Eindhoven.
2020
Safe Site merges with Mennens Rotterdam. And opens its own Expertise Center under the name 'Safe Site - Powered by Mennens' for training in working at height and in depth.
2023
Mennens heads in a new direction and takes on a new organizational structure.
