The ROM story

The first invoice booklet from 1980 with the names of customers who have been with us since the beginning and who have stayed with us. And we are very proud of this

Eugéne Plompen begins at ROM. As a sales representative and service mechanic. In the morning he works in the shop in overalls. After lunch he switches to a suit and tie. Many plumbers, drain cleaning companies and municipalities are persuade by him on the RIDGID quality.

ROM comes up with a playful promotion. RIDGID End-users get free service. Just the parts and accessories are to be paid. It turns out to be extremely successful as they have built a loyal client base.

ROM  Customers are enthusiastic about the free service received. Happy customers sign yearly service contracts. This takes away the concerns of service and guarantees a well running RIDGID machine

Machines were exported abroad for the first time in 1985. This ROM 1500, for example, was shipped to Singapore. The start of many more e xport orders.

Next to the sales of RIDGID equipment, ROM produces high pressure drain cleaning machines. ROM also initiates the production of portable toilet servicing machines. Amsterdam gets traded for a bigger building in Barneveld. More productionspace and a showroom location gives customers the chance to experience RIDGID and ROM.

ROM expands the production line. In addition to the trailers and toilet service units, sewer combis and built-in units are now also being built.

Drain cleaning equipment and RIDGID machines are more popular than ever. To comply with the current demand, extra sales representatives are hired and trained as ROM and RIDGID specialists. ROM moves to a bigger building (the current one in the Harselaarseweg in Barneveld) that partially is set up as a RIDGID experience center for the ultimate experience.

It is the beginning of the internet age. In addition to extra sales guys and an experience center, a website is a great addition as a sales tool. RIDGIDKollmann.com is born. At first mainly as information provider. For example, only 8 orders came in in the first year. More than 20 years later, many see this webshop as THE place to buy their RIDGID gear.

The RIDGID KJ1590 is being designed together with RIDGID. The production in Europe is provided by ROM. The distribution by RIDGID. More than 20 years later, the second model, the KJ1590II, is a real bestseller.

ROM will introduce many innovations in 2018, including the new sewer jetting built-in unit ROM EcoFit, the eSTEAM smoke generator, new options on the SmartCombi PRO and more.