What The Big Group does

De Groot Groep (referenced in the input as 'The Big Group') is a Netherlands-based, private industrial services company founded in 1929 and headquartered in Voorschoten. It specializes in the inspection, certification, tool management, reconditioning (revisie), transport and logistics, rental, and proof load testing of lifting tools, rigging, and industrial equipment. The company serves six primary vertical markets: lift manufacturers, construction companies, crane rental companies, installation companies, the wind power industry, and civil engineering companies (infrabedrijven), operating primarily in the Dutch market with a Dutch-.nl website domain.

The business is organized through two wholly-owned operating subsidiaries - De Groot Hijstechniek (lifting technology, inspection, certification, reconditioning, rentals, proof loads) and De Groot Logistiek (transport and logistics compliant with Stichting Vervoersadres guidelines). In parallel, the company has built ToolSquid, an online platform (dgh.toolsquid.com) that gives customers real-time visibility into inspection dates, certificates, and equipment status - effectively digitizing a workflow that is historically manual and certificate-driven. The ToolSquid platform is offered as an annual subscription bundled with the inspection service line, representing an effort to convert project-based industrial work into recurring, software-managed revenue.

The revenue model mixes professional services (inspection, certification, reconditioning, transport, proof loads) with subscription-style recurring revenue streams (ToolSquid subscriptions and rentals). Pricing is publicly disclosed via downloadable price lists for 2025 (inspection, on-site, and ToolSquid subscription tiers). Go-to-market is direct service delivery to Dutch industrial B2B customers, supported by a corporate website, a LinkedIn company page, a Facebook page, and membership in Koninklijke Metaalunie. No disclosed customers, parent company, funding activity, or revenue figures are available, and the company appears independent at the operating level while its recruitment function is co-hosted with Molenq Industrial Services.

Name

The Big Group

Legal name

De Groot Groep

Website

https://dg-groep.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

De Groot Groep is a Dutch specialist service company providing inspection, certification, tool management, reconditioning, and logistics for industrial tools and equipment, serving lift, construction, crane rental, installation, wind energy, and civil engineering customers across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Voorschoten

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Inspection & Certification Services: Inspection, certification, and tool management services for industrial equipment and tools
2. Tool Management: Management of tools including planning and coordination
3. Reconditioning/Revisie: Reconditioning and revision services for tools and equipment
4. Transport & Logistics: Transport and logistics services for equipment
5. Rentals: Rental services for tools and equipment
6. Proof Loads: Proof load testing services

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

De Groot Groep provides outsourced inspection, certification, and tool management services for industrial tools and lifting equipment, supported by ToolSquid, its proprietary online platform for real-time tracking of inspection status and certificates. The offering also includes reconditioning, transport and logistics, rentals, and proof load testing, delivered as a bundled solution to industrial customers in the Netherlands.

Product overview

De Groot Groep operates as a specialized service company providing a comprehensive suite of solutions for tool and equipment management across multiple industrial sectors. The portfolio includes both service offerings (Inspection & Certification, Tool Management, Reconditioning, Transport & Logistics, Rentals, and Proof Loads) and a digital platform (ToolSquid). These services are designed for industries including lift manufacturers, construction companies, crane rental companies, installation companies, wind power industry, and civil engineering companies. The company positions itself as a one-stop solution where customers can outsource the complete process of tool inspection, certification, management, and logistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ToolSquid: Online tool management system providing real-time insight into the status of equipment

Products and services

• Inspection & Certification (Keuren & certificeren) Professional inspection and certification of tools and lifting equipment against applicable safety standards, providing customers with valid certificates of compliance for their fleets.
• Tool Management (Gereedschapsbeheer) Ongoing management of customer tool inventories including planning of inspection dates, tracking of certificates, and administrative coordination so tools remain compliant and available.
• Reconditioning / Revisie Restoration and reconditioning of tools and lifting equipment to extend their operational life and bring them back into certified, safe condition.
• Transport & Logistics Specialized transportation and logistics services for industrial tools and equipment between customer sites and the De Groot Groep facilities for inspection, reconditioning, or rental delivery.
• Rentals (Verhuur) Rental of certified tools and lifting equipment to industrial customers for temporary project use, providing access to compliant gear without permanent ownership.
• Proof Loads (Proeflasten) Testing services that verify the rated load capacity and safety of lifting equipment and rigging before deployment, supporting certification and operational safety.
• ToolSquid De Groot Groep's proprietary online platform that gives industrial customers real-time visibility into the inspection status, certificate validity, and inventory of their tools and equipment managed by De Groot Groep.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Stichting VervoersadresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Groot Logistiek works with Stichting Vervoersadres and fully conforms to its guidelines for transport services.
• Koninklijke MetaalunieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Groot Hijstechniek is a member of the Royal Metaalunie and uses the latest Metaalunie conditions

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DNV: DNV is a Norway-based TIC company specializing in maritime, energy (including wind), and business assurance. Its wind-energy certification services directly overlap with De Groot Groep's wind power customer segment.
• SGS: SGS is the world's largest TIC company providing inspection, verification, testing, and certification globally. It offers overlapping industrial equipment certification services and represents a broad incumbent competitor to De Groot Groep.
• DEKRA: DEKRA is one of the world's largest TIC organizations, providing inspection, certification, and testing across automotive, industrial, and consumer sectors. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping equipment certification capabilities, though at much greater scale and geographic reach.
• Applus+: Applus+ is a Spanish-based global TIC company providing testing, inspection, and certification services across energy, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. Comparable to De Groot Groep at a much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a German-based global TIC company offering testing, inspection, and certification services including industrial equipment and machinery. It overlaps with De Groot Groep's lifting-equipment and industrial certification focus as a broader portfolio player.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC leader providing testing, inspection, and certification across marine, offshore, industrial, and construction sectors. It competes with De Groot Groep in industrial equipment certification but operates at vastly greater scale.

Direct peers

• Normec: Normec is a Dutch TIC service provider offering testing, inspection, and certification across construction, infrastructure, and industrial sectors. It directly competes with De Groot Groep in the Dutch market with overlapping industrial equipment certification services.
• Kiwa: Kiwa is a Dutch-headquartered global Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) company serving industrial, construction, and energy markets. It is the most direct Dutch peer to De Groot Groep's equipment inspection and certification focus, competing in the same geography and customer verticals.
• Vinçotte (Apave Group): Vinçotte (now part of Apave) is a Belgium-based TIC company specializing in inspection and certification of equipment, structures, and industrial assets. It closely mirrors De Groot Groep's equipment inspection/certification model in a neighboring Benelux market.

Emerging players

• ToolSense: ToolSense provides digital tool and equipment management software for construction and industrial sectors. It is an emerging software-focused peer to ToolSquid, offering overlapping real-time equipment tracking and certification management functionality.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/100063555309706
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/de-groot-groep

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Big Group