The Mayor of Rotterdam, Mr. Opstelten, visited the Radio Holland Group on Wednesday 18 July. The reason for this visit was the 90 year anniversary of the renowned specialist in maritime electronics and global service company. Radio Holland Group’s headquarters are located in Rotterdam but the company has 53 offices world wide, along all major shipping routes. Dé Slager, CEO of Radio Holland Group, presented historic radio equipment to the Mayor because of Radio Holland’s 90th anniversary, specifically a radio direction finder from the 1920’s. The radio direction finder was made by the Nederlandsche Seintoenstellenfabriek (Dutch Transmitting Company). 

Dé Slager of Radio Holland Group: “Radio Holland’s history dates back to 1916, when a group of Dutch ship owners aimed to ensure safe sailings, providing radio installations on board including the radio officers who were able to operate this equipment. Since May 2006, Radio Holland Group is part of Imtech N.V. Imtech is a strong company in Europe and Radio Holland is now part of the Imtech marine group of companies that also includes Imtech Marine & Offshore and Royal Dirkzwager. Together we have more than 375 years of experience in the maritime industry. There has always been a strong connection with Rotterdam, where we are based. That’s why we would like to present this gift, a historic radio direction finder, to the city of Rotterdam.”

Mayor Opstelten while receiving this gift: “Congratulations on the 90th anniversary of Radio Holland, a true mile stone. Radio Holland is well known in Rotterdam, an important and solid company in the port of Rotterdam with its headquarters in the historic shipping quarters of the city. I’m honored to accept this gift and I’m happy to hand it over to Rotterdam’s Maritime Museum, the perfect place for this unique piece of equipment. I hope this is the beginning of another successful 90 year period for Radio Holland.”

Mr. F.R. Loomeijer, general manager of the Maritime Museum of Rotterdam: “The Maritime Museum is an excellent place for the radio direction finder because this museum has the largest collection of navigation equipment from the 20th century. However, we were still missing this piece of equipment! Radio Holland is a company that is very aware of her valuable rich history. I think it is commendable that Radio Holland offers various antique maritime equipment to many different maritime museums. This is very unique in the maritime industry.”

Since May 2006, Radio Holland Group is part of Imtech N.V., renowned international technical service provider in the field of information & communication technology and electrical & mechanical engineering. A large cluster of maritime companies based in Rotterdam started working together. This maritime cluster includes Radio Holland, Imtech Marine & Offshore and Royal Dirkzwager. More than 2000 employees are working in this cluster at more than 60 locations in more than 20 countries. The management of the maritime cluster wanted to show the Mayor of Rotterdam its appreciation for the city by presenting an authentic maritime gift, thanks to Radio Holland’s Historic Material Foundation. Rotterdam has always been an important location for Radio Holland, as well as for Imtech Marine & Offshore. It is an important maritime centre of activity. The radio direction finder will be added to the city’s collection in the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam.