RBC History
RBC started in ’94 as a regional player in Rotterdam and has since grown into a renowned partner in safety & security in the Benelux. Active within heavy industry, yacht building, shipbuilding and repair, automotive, inland and maritime shipping. Where only two people made this happen in 1994, the family-owned company is now represented by around 1,000 employees. Each and every one of them focused on ensuring safety and security in every detail. The uniqueness of RBC is particularly evident in the fact that RBC still works for clients from the very beginning. RBC is also proud of its large group of loyal employees. Ambassadors who make a difference every day!
Anno 2024, RBC is ubiquitous within small organisations and multinationals. At any company where safety or security needs must be optimally met. Think supply, rental and maintenance of gas detection, breathing air, fall protection, life jackers, fire extinguishers and personal protective equipment. Safety and security personnel, camera surveillance, access control, business certifications, safety training and professional, unique on-site solutions also make RBC deliver on its vision for 30 years: Complete Safety!
Your partner for a safe working environment
We strive for long-term relationships and loyalty to our clients and employees. Clients from the beginning are still clients today. Always and everywhere, clients should be satisfied with the services we provide.
We put energy into things like identity and image, including our employer image. Being a good employer is essential to us! Our employees are therefore loyal to RBC and work for you and for us 24/7 with the same enthusiasm. RBC is a partner to build on and trust. We fully unburden our clients.
RBC past to present
1994
On 21 February 1994, Philip and Peter Tooren found the company Regionale Brandwachten Centrale VOF at the Mijnsherenlaan, Rotterdam. The necessary SCC certification is obtained immediately. Father and son became household names within the fire watch world in no time.
1996
Founding of R.B.C. B.V., Regionale Brandwachten Centrale, by Philip, Peter and Michel Tooren. The company establishes itself at Vosbergendam in Rotterdam and grows to 11 employees.
1997
RBC is moving to a new office, located at Rivium in Capelle aan den IJssel.
1998
Rivium office expansion. RBC has grown substantially, in terms of revenue, clients and employees. In two years, the number of employees has tripled (33).
2001
RBC BV acquires renowned company Oilfield Services. Oilfield merges into RBC. RBC BV continues to grow steadily and is also drawing more and more attention internationally. Peter and Michel Tooren become 100% responsible; taking over the shares of their father, Philip Tooren.
2002 – 2003
Peter and Michel Tooren continue with the ‘hands on’ mentality. Employees are expected to do the same. Growth and managing personnel require them to be in the office more. Work clothes are worn more often than office suits, as they remain involved in all activities.
2004
RBC returns to Rotterdam and moves into new head office. The building at Aploniastraat 82 offers many more possibilities and facilities. This way, RBC is even better able to offer its services in the best possible way.
2005
Founding of RBC Brandbeveiliging Nederland B.V. The company’s second branch focuses primarily on maintenance, service, sales and rental of safety equipment in inland shipping and shipyards. RBC Brandbeveiliging does this so successfully that requests are coming in from other sectors. From the basic idea of “do what you say, deliver what you promise”, they soon became household names in these sectors too. In 2005, the adjoining building on Aploniastraat was incorporated and a workshop plus warehouse.
2006
Co-founder of RBC, Philip Tooren, says a final goodbye to RBC.
2007
Founding of RBC Flex B.V. An employment agency. This third division is a logical development given the high demand for permanent and temporary personnel within the sectors in which RBC operates and the huge network RBC has at its disposal. RBC settles at the Stolwijkstraat.
Elkon Handelsmaatschappij B.V. is acquired. Elkon eventually merges into RBC Brandbeveiliging Nederland BV.
2008 – 2009
As a result of its success, RBC is closely followed by international ‘concerns’. Eventually, this results in a collaboration.
2010
With another experience in the bag, the Tooren brothers continue on their own again. International ‘know how’, coupled with Dutch professionalism, takes RBC across national borders. The organisation now comprises 110 employees.
RBC Nederland undergoes a complete re-branding in 2010 with the motto ‘Complete Safety’. All divisions get a new logo & corporate identity that reflects RBC’s strength and quality within each sector they operate in. The new website and the new corporate brochure emerge in August 2010.
2011
RBC acquires Intersafe Mobile Safety Services (IMSS) from Intersafe Groeneveld, transferring IMSS and its personnel to the RBC Industrial & Maritime Safety division.
2012
Safety and security (or monitoring) are inextricably linked. RBC Bewaking, the fourth division within RBC, is therefore a logical step. RBC is now able to solve (project-related) monitoring issues for clients.
2013
The Belgian organisation is launched. SCC-P (SCC Petrochemistry) is obtained. In Belgium, the activities of RBC Brandbeveiliging and RBC Industriële & Maritieme Veiligheid are marketed from one organisation. RBC’s website is completely restyled and from now on also has a rental webshop. The name of RBC Flex B.V. becomes RBC Flexibel in Menskracht.
2014
RBC Group’s vision is to always organise Complete Safety locally. Based on that vision, the Belgian office is opened in 2014. At Kauwenstein 5, centrally located in the port of Antwerp.
2015
The Safety division of security company SERIS Netherlands is acquired. Within RBC, the division falls under RBC Industrial & Maritime Safety. This acquisition continues the growth within the safety supervision market.
2016
RBC is once again outgrowing its size. Growth requires further expansion of the head office at the Stolwijkstraat. Therefore, “the neighbour” is bought. This grows the property to 4,000 m2.
2017
After a major renovation, the head office is moved into.
2020
Peter Tooren – one of the founders of RBC – goes into well-deserved retirement after 26 years. Pim van der Est takes over Peter’s share and, together with Michel Tooren, continues to build on RBC’s success.
2021
Marine Safety Europe B.V. (MSE for short), the specialist in fire extinguishing, rescue and safety equipment for maritime and offshore, becomes part of RBC. Whereas RBC Brandbeveiliging already carried out these activities on shore and inland waterways, this expansion serves the entire maritime market. A wonderful expansion.
Alongside the acquisition of MSE BV, Check Safety Professionals is established. Check is the collaborative partner for safe and healthy working. Check offers support in safety issues and in the deployment of Operational, Medium-level and Higher-level Safety experts. With this addition, RBC offers even more Complete Safety.
2022
Normwaard becomes part of the RBC Group. The business certification organisation consultancy also ensures that business certifications are achieved and maintained. With this move, both parties become stronger towards mutual clients and networks.
In this same year, Way2Safety joins the RBC Group. This joining of forces further increases RBC’s market share in the safety market.
2023
DekkControl, based in Sliedrecht, is acquired. This move will further expand its share within the inland waterway and (tanker) ship market. Both parties strengthen each other in terms of technicians, network, clients and strategic partners.
2024
RBC Group celebrates! 21 February 1994 is when it all began. RBC Group has been the partner in Complete Safety for 30 years! Where RBC started with two people in 1994, the family-owned company has grown over the years to around 1,000 employees. In recent years, RBC has developed nicely. With a strategic vision towards 2028, the organisation continues to move forward.