Heli

What Heli does

Heli (NV HELI) is a privately held Belgian industrial services company, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Wetteren, operating across Belgium and Luxembourg. The company rents, sells, and services aerial work platforms (scissor lifts, telescopic booms, articulated booms), lifting equipment (forklifts, telehandlers, mini cranes), mobile scaffolding, and roof-edge / fall protection systems. It operates four interconnected service pillars: machine rental and sales, the Heli Safety Academy (training roughly 8,000 professionals annually in equipment operator certification and work-at-height safety), High & Safe (specialized roof edge and fall protection systems including a proprietary Rail Safety System using magnetic fencing installed at 10 meters per minute), and an equipment-bound insurance product offered at 8% of the standard rental rate.

The business model combines subscription-style recurring rental revenue with hardware sales, professional training services, and managed services revenue from insurance. Pricing on rentals is usage-based (8-hour day, 5-day week, or 20-day month regimes), with operators at €70/hour and technical service at €80/hour. Heli holds exclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distribution rights for ten equipment brands (Dieci, Maeda, LGMG, Niftylift, Snorkel, Omme, Uplifter, Ruthmann Bluelift, ISOLI, SPT) and also distributes Genie, GSR, Skyjack, Manitou, and JLG through its dealer network. Two wholly-owned subsidiaries (High & Safe, acquired in 2016; Heli Safety Academy) extend the platform into adjacent safety services and training.

Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting B2B customers in construction, industrial facilities, distribution/logistics, real estate, and railway infrastructure sectors across Belgium, Luxembourg, and selectively into adjacent markets such as Germany. Notable enterprise customers include BNP Paribas Real Estate, Van Laere, Triple Living, CFL (Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois), Deutsche Bahn, and TUI Fly. Heli is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or institutional investors, and operates 51-100 employees under management-controlled ownership.

Name

Heli

Legal name

NV HELI

Website

https://heli.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Heli is a Belgian privately held industrial services company that rents, sells, and services aerial work platforms, lifting equipment, mobile scaffolding, and fall protection systems across Belgium and Luxembourg, with adjacent training and rail safety operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Equipment Rental

NAICS

Construction, Transportation, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (53241), Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Material Handling Equipment Manufacturing (33392), Construction Machinery Manufacturing (33312)

SIC

Construction Machinery & Equip (3531), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Access & Scaffolding Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cranes & Heavy Lifting Equipment Rental/Leasing (TLABAFAD), Aerial Work Platform & Access Equipment Vehicle Manufacturing (Boom/Scissor Lifts) (IMACAFAG), Material Handling & Industrial Lift Vehicle Manufacturing (Forklifts/Telehandlers/Reach Stackers) (IMACAFAD), Lifting & Hoisting Rental & Leasing (IMAHAJAN), Cranes, Hoists & Rigging Equipment MRO (Mobile/Tower Cranes, Winches) (TLAKAHAE)

Keywords

• Aerial work platforms
• Mobile scaffolding systems
• Fall protection equipment
• Height safety training
• Forklift rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wetteren

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Rental: Short-term and long-term rental of aerial work platforms, lifting equipment, mobile scaffolding, and safety equipment. Pricing based on 8 hours/day, 5 days/week regime. Includes operator services on request.
2. Equipment Sales: Sale of new and second-hand aerial work platforms, forklifts, telehandlers, mini cranes, glass lifts, vacuum lifters, and scaffolding. Sales through exclusive distribution agreements with major equipment manufacturers.
3. Safety Training: Professional certification training through Heli Safety Academy covering aerial work platforms, forklifts, telehandlers, mobile scaffolding, fall protection, and work at height. Offers both public courses and in-company tailored training.
4. Fall Protection Systems: Sale and rental of roof edge protection, fall arrest systems, safety harnesses, anchor points, safety nets, and custom monorail systems with gondolas. Includes project-based installation services.
5. Machine Insurance: Equipment-bound insurance during rental period covering all locations within Europe. Cost is 8% of standard rental rate with deductibles based on equipment value.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Heli rents, sells, and services aerial work platforms (scissor lifts, telescopic and articulated booms), lifting and hoisting equipment (forklifts, telehandlers, mini cranes, assembly lifts), and mobile scaffolding to B2B customers in Belgium and Luxembourg. The company also operates the Heli Safety Academy, delivering certified work-at-height training to approximately 8,000 professionals per year, and runs the High & Safe division for roof edge and fall protection systems, including the proprietary Rail Safety System used by railway operators.

Product overview

Heli is a Belgian company specializing in safe working at height solutions, operating through four interconnected service pillars: machine rental and sales (aerial work platforms, forklifts, mobile scaffolding), the Heli Safety Academy (training for work-at-height equipment operators), and High & Safe (roof edge and fall protection systems including harnesses, nets, anchor points, and the Rail Safety System). The company distributes internationally recognized brands including Ruthmann, Niftylift, Snorkel, Ommelift, Uplifter, Dieci, Maeda, and LGMG, while also offering second-hand equipment from its own rental fleet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• High & Safe: Division specialized in roof edge and fall protection systems, offering safety solutions for working at height in construction and industrial sectors. Provides rental, sale, and project-based installation services.

Products and services

• Machine Rental

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves approximately EUR 1,000 per shift compared to conventional warning systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DiecicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for Dieci telehandlers. Dieci products featured in rental fleet and second-hand sales offerings.
• MaedacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for Maeda mini cranes. Products available for rental and sale.
• LGMGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for LGMG aerial work platforms, featured in both new sales and second-hand inventory.
• NiftyliftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for Niftylift boom lifts and scissor lifts.
• SnorkelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for Snorkel aerial work platforms, available in both new and second-hand sales.
• Omme (Ommelift)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for Ommelift trailer-mounted boom lifts and spider lifts.
• UpliftercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for Uplifter equipment.
• Ruthmann BlueliftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for Ruthmann Bluelift aerial work platforms.
• ISOLIcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for ISOLI equipment.
• SPTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Belgian and Luxembourgish distributor for SPT equipment.
• LayhercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining partnership for scaffolding training through Heli Safety Academy. Distributes Layher mobile scaffolding products (Uni Standard, Uni Large, Uni Basic, Uni Compact, Solo Tower, Zifa folding scaffolds).
• SmartGroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew partnership launched in May 2026 for innovative glass placement solutions, adding to rental and sales offerings focused on safety, speed and efficiency on construction sites.
• CFL (Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRailway infrastructure client for Rail Safety System deployment. 1500 meters of RSS fence delivered for Sandweiler track expansion project.
• ConstructivminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Belgian construction industry organization for safety awareness events and training initiatives.
• SafetyRespectcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium brand partner for fall protection equipment including Catch Fans nets, steel mesh barriers, and safety fencing products sold and rented through High & Safe division.
• HaberkorncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium brand partner for fall protection harnesses, lanyards and accessories through High & Safe division.
• TractelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium brand partner for fall protection equipment including Weight Angel deadweight anchors sold and rented through High & Safe division.
• InnotechcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium brand partner for fixed anchor points, mobile lifeline systems, and variable deadweight anchors sold and rented through High & Safe division.
• IkarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium brand partner for fall arrest blocks, anchor strop, and tripod rescue equipment sold and rented through High & Safe division.
• SifateccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium brand partner for sandwich panel roof edge protection systems sold and rented through High & Safe division.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Layher: Leading European scaffolding systems manufacturer and Heli's training partner (Layher supplies mobile scaffolding products distributed by Heli). Comparable as an adjacent equipment ecosystem participant and Heli partner in scaffolding.
• Tractel: Global supplier of height safety, lifting and load measurement equipment, and a brand partner to Heli's High & Safe division. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant in fall protection products sold and rented by Heli.

Broad incumbents

• Loxam: One of Europe's largest equipment rental groups with multi-country presence and broad product categories. Larger incumbent competing with Heli on aerial and lifting equipment in overlapping European markets.
• Manitou: French global manufacturer of telehandlers, aerial work platforms and forklifts. Comparable to Heli as both an OEM whose products Heli distributes and as a broader industry incumbent shaping the lifting equipment landscape.

Direct peers

• Boels Rental: Major European equipment rental company headquartered in the Netherlands with extensive Benelux coverage. Competes with Heli across aerial work platforms, forklifts, telehandlers and scaffolding.
• Mateco: European aerial work platform and material handling rental company with strong DACH and Benelux presence. Directly comparable to Heli's specialty rental model for scissor lifts, booms, telehandlers and forklifts.
• SafetyRespect: European provider of fall protection and edge protection systems for construction. Directly comparable to Heli's High & Safe division in product range (catch fans, mesh barriers, safety fencing) and customer base.
• Riwal: Dutch-headquartered aerial work platform rental specialist operating across Europe. Directly comparable to Heli's core scissor lift, telescopic and articulated boom rental business across overlapping European geographies, including Benelux.
• Haulotte: French manufacturer and rental operator of aerial work platforms (boom and scissor lifts). Comparable to Heli as a European aerial platform specialist whose equipment is rented through dealer networks.

Regional players

• TVH Equipment: Belgian-headquartered global dealer and distributor of forklifts, aerial platforms and material handling parts. Closely comparable as a Belgium-rooted peer in the lifting equipment distribution ecosystem, although with a stronger parts focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

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 Heli