Modern

What Modern does

Modern B.V., trading as Modern Berging, is a privately held, fourth-generation Dutch family business founded in 1937 in Utrecht that provides nationwide 24/7 vehicle recovery, transport, crane rental, clearance, and storage services. Its operations are organized around four service divisions: (1) Roadside Assistance & Recovery, covering light vehicles up to 3,500 kg, heavy vehicles over 3,500 kg operating under the Rijkswaterstaat Incident Management (IM) / CMV scheme, and specialized electric vehicle salvage using water immersion containers for lithium-ion battery incidents; (2) Crane Rental & Transport, offering truck-mounted loader cranes from 7 to 165 tm, a mini crane capable of grid-powered CO2-neutral operation in 80 cm-wide entrances, and LTM1070/1100/1130 telescopic cranes, alongside multi-purpose transport including semi-low loaders and enclosed secure trailers for exclusive vehicles; (3) Clearance & Goods Seizure, including business evictions, bailiff-driven goods seizures, and lithium-ion incident handling with the fire department and Strukton Milieutechniek; and (4) Storage & Tent Rental, providing SLA-managed vehicle storage, aluminium marquees across Europe, and electric pallet trucks.

The technology stack is physical-asset-led rather than digital-platform-led: certified specialized vehicles and cranes, a proprietary air cushion recovery method co-developed with Rijkswaterstaat (the first of its kind in the Netherlands), a water immersion container for EV battery thermal management, and TÜV/TCVT/VCA/NEN9140/ADR/REVI-certified operators and equipment. A customer self-service portal (portal.modern-berging.nl) supports online request intake. The integrated Google Maps integration is the only third-party software dependency disclosed.

The revenue model is transaction-fee-based across all six streams (recovery, crane rental, transport, clearance/seizure, storage/tents, lithium-ion incident management), with billing routed primarily through Dutch insurers, roadside assistance providers, and alarm centers under WA liability insurance coverage. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales combined with channel partnerships: Modern works directly with Rijkswaterstaat, Gemeente Utrecht, and bailiffs, while serving individual vehicle owners through referrals from all major Dutch roadside assistance providers and replacement vehicle partners DriveOn, AVN, and Rentrunner. Participation in the Road Partners alliance extends service reach across South Holland, Utrecht, and Gelderland without internal fleet duplication.

Name

Modern

Legal name

Modern B.V.

Website

https://modern-berging.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Modern Berging is a fourth-generation Dutch family business founded in 1937 that provides nationwide 24/7 vehicle recovery, heavy-vehicle crane rental, transport, clearance and goods seizure, and specialized lithium-ion incident management, serving insurers, alarm centers, government, bailiffs, and individual motorists across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vehicle Recovery and Transport Services

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Towing (48841), Office Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (53242)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Services-Miscellaneous Repair Services (7600)

akta.pro primary industry

Towing, Recovery & Vehicle Removal Services (TLAJAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accident Recovery, Winch-Out & Towing Services (Light/Heavy) (TLAKAFAH), Tow Trucks & Recovery Vehicles Leasing & Rental (TLABAEAF)

Keywords

• Vehicle recovery services
• Heavy vehicle towing
• Crane rental services
• Incident management
• Specialty transport services

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Roadside Assistance & Recovery Services: 24/7 breakdown assistance and vehicle recovery services for light vehicles (up to 3,500 kg) and heavy vehicles (over 3,500 kg). Services include on-site repair, towing, and transport to designated locations. Costs are billed directly to insurance companies.
2. Crane Rental Services: Rental of various crane types including truck-mounted loader cranes (7 tm to 165 tm), telescopic cranes (LTM1070, LTM1100, LTM1130), and mini cranes. Services available 24/7 with skilled operators.
3. Transport Services: Transportation of cars, trucks, heavy vehicles, machines, special goods, and exclusive cars. Multi-purpose fleet with various configurations including multi-loaders, semi-low loaders, and enclosed secure trailers.
4. Clearance & Goods Seizure Services: Professional business evictions and goods seizure services for bailiffs and receivers throughout central Netherlands. Includes waste disposal and storage solutions.
5. Storage & Tent Rental: Secure storage areas, containers, industrial halls, and tent rentals. Includes aluminum marquees for events, electric pallet trucks (EPT), and loading/unloading services.
6. Lithium-ion Incident Management: Specialized 24/7 service for handling incidents involving lithium-ion energy storage, including battery packs in construction machinery and large-scale battery containers for solar parks. Works with fire department and Strukton Milieutechniek.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Modern Berging provides 24/7 vehicle recovery, breakdown assistance, and incident management services for light and heavy vehicles across the Netherlands. The company complements these core recovery services with crane rental (truck-mounted loader cranes, mini cranes, telescopic cranes), multi-purpose transport, business clearance and goods seizure, specialized lithium-ion incident response, and secure storage and tent rental. Operations are delivered by TCVT-certified operators using TÜV-certified equipment, with billing routed primarily through insurance companies and institutional partners.

Product overview

Modern is a family business since 1937 offering a comprehensive suite of mobility and logistics services. The core offering comprises four main divisions: (1) Roadside Assistance & Recovery — covering light vehicle recovery (up to 3,500 kg), heavy vehicle recovery (trucks, coaches, cranes, trailers exceeding 3,500 kg), and specialized electric vehicle salvage using water immersion containers for lithium battery incidents; (2) Crane Rental & Transport — including truck-mounted loader cranes (7–165 tm), mini cranes (up to 4,000 kg), and telescopic cranes (LTM1070/1100/1130 models), plus transport of vehicles, heavy equipment, special goods, and exclusive cars; (3) Clearance & Goods Seizure — professional business evictions, goods seizures with secure storage, and specialized lithium-ion incident handling; and (4) Storage & Tent Rental — secure storage facilities, aluminium marquees for events/storage, and electric pallet truck rental. A customer portal enables online request management for roadside assistance and transport orders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Light vehicle recovery & Breakdown assistance 24/7 roadside assistance and recovery service for light vehicles weighing up to 3,500 kg. Includes on-site repair, transport to dealer or garage, and replacement vehicle coordination with DriveOn, AVN, and Rentrunner. Targeted at individual motorists and dispatched via insurance partners.
• Heavy vehicle recovery Specialized recovery service for trucks, coaches, cranes, semi-trailers, and trailers exceeding 3,500 kg. Includes participation in the Incident Management (IM) / CMV scheme, the air cushion recovery innovation for overturned trucks, and safe cargo storage.
• Electric vehicle salvage (Water immersion container) Specialized salvage service for electric vehicles with lithium battery fires. Uses a water immersion container for long-term battery pack cooling, discharge, and safe storage or disposal coordination with recycling companies.
• Truck-mounted loader cranes Loader crane rental service ranging from 7 tm to 165 tm capacity for placing structures and machines in tight spaces and loading or unloading heavy loads. Includes additional equipment such as pallet hooks, floor clamps, glass vacuums, tilting bins, and concrete buckets.
• Mini crane Compact crane rental service capable of fitting through entrances 80 cm wide and 207 cm high, with lifting capacity up to 4,000 kg. Can be powered directly from the electrical grid for CO2-neutral operation. Combines with glass vacuum lift system and carrier for jobs in small or hard-to-reach spaces.
• Telescopic cranes Telescopic crane rental service with three models: LTM1070, LTM1100, and LTM1130. Available 24/7 with skilled operators and additional equipment including pallet hooks, floor clamps, glass vacuum lift systems, tilting bins, and concrete buckets.
• Transport Multi-purpose transport service covering cars, vans, trucks, coaches, heavy vehicles and machines, special goods, and exclusive cars. Includes multi-loader configurations, container trucks, semi-low loaders, and enclosed secure trailers for exclusive vehicles with viewing windows and living room cabin.
• Clearances Professional business eviction and clearance service with technical, certified experts. Includes crane assistance for heavy materials, safe and discreet content removal, transport to other locations or secure storage, and property restoration to original condition. Targeted at bailiffs and receivers.
• Goods seizures Careful and discreet goods seizure service with pre-job consultation, action plan development with stakeholders, and secure storage in locked containers, warehouses, or outdoor sites. Targeted at bailiffs and legal receivers throughout central Netherlands.
• Lithium ion clearances Specialized 24/7 service for safe handling of incidents involving lithium-ion energy storage in light and heavy construction machinery and large-scale battery containers (10ft or 20ft). Includes cooperation with fire department and Strukton Milieutechniek, specialized equipment for safe moving, stabilizing, and storage with continuous temperature and gas monitoring.
• Storage rental Secure storage service for vehicles with special or heavy loads, with specialized equipment, overhead crane, and forklift support. Secure management is provided via Service Level Agreement (SLA) for transparent service terms.
• Aluminium marquees High-quality aluminium marquee rental available in many sizes with options for plastic or sailcloth walls, wooden floors, and heaters. Professional assembly and disassembly throughout Europe for one day, one week, or permanent rental. Used for trade shows, events, temporary storage, or corporate events.
• EPT rental (Electric pallet trucks) Electric pallet truck rental with different lifting capacities and fork lengths for various applications from narrow aisles to heavy goods handling.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vehicle transport within 3 business days
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Road PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of leading salvage and recovery companies from South Holland, Utrecht and Gelderland. Modern is affiliated with Road Partners, providing a broad international network bringing together all salvage and recovery specialties. Modern provides additional support in crane rental and tent rental domains within the alliance.
• RijkswaterstaatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Modern works closely with Rijkswaterstaat on the Incident Management (IM) regulation scheme and jointly developed the innovative air cushion recovery method for overturned trucks - a first for the Netherlands now used nationwide.
• Strukton MilieutechniekcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for safe handling of lithium-ion incidents. Works closely with fire department and Strukton Milieutechniek to ensure controlled and safe situations during incidents involving energy storage based on lithium-ion technology.
• Energie Collectief Utrechtse Bedrijven (ECUB)minorOthersModern supports ECUB with a periodic membership fee. ECUB is an energy collective for businesses in Utrecht.
• DriveOn, AVN, RentrunnerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReplacement vehicle providers. Customers entitled to replacement vehicles can choose from cars provided by DriveOn, AVN or Rentrunner during their vehicle repair period.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Mammoet: Dutch-headquartered global heavy lifting and crane specialist. Comparable on the truck-mounted loader cranes, telescopic cranes, and heavy transport service lines that overlap with Modern's Kraanverhuur & Transport division, though Mammoet operates at vastly larger scale and project scope.
• Boskalis: Dutch global maritime services and salvage company. Comparable to Modern in adjacent heavy recovery and incident management capabilities (Boskalis Salvage), though operating primarily in marine/offshore environments rather than road transport incidents.
• Wagenborg: Dutch heavy transport, logistics, and crane services provider. Comparable on the heavy and special goods transport, container transport, and crane services segments that overlap with Modern's portfolio, while operating a broader multi-modal logistics network.
• Sarens: Belgian-headquartered global crane rental and heavy lifting company. Comparable to Modern's crane rental and specialized transport offerings, with overlapping use cases in construction, industrial placement, and heavy load movement, though Sarens serves a much larger international project base.
• ANWB Wegenwacht: Dutch national roadside assistance provider operated by the ANWB mobility association. Comparable as the dominant incumbent in roadside and recovery services in the Netherlands, serving overlapping insurance and consumer customer bases, though it operates at much larger scale and broader scope than Modern.

Direct peers

• Straatman Berging & Transport: Dutch vehicle recovery and heavy transport specialist. Directly comparable to Modern's light and heavy vehicle recovery, crane rental, and transport offerings, serving similar insurance and industrial customer segments in the Netherlands.
• Vreugdenhil Berging: Dutch family-owned vehicle recovery and salvage company. Directly comparable as a Dutch regional recovery operator offering towing, salvage, and vehicle handling services for insurance, government, and private customers in overlapping service areas.
• Gebr. van der Spek: Dutch crane and equipment rental company offering truck-mounted, mobile, and telescopic cranes. Comparable to Modern's loader crane, telescopic crane, and mini crane rental services for construction, industrial placement, and special transport applications.

Others

• Strukton Milieutechniek: Dutch environmental technology and infrastructure services company that is an explicit partner of Modern for lithium-ion incident management. Comparable as an ecosystem partner delivering adjacent environmental and incident response services that complement Modern's specialized EV and battery handling capabilities.

Regional players

• Riwal: Dutch-headquartered aerial work platform and crane rental company with European operations. Comparable to Modern's equipment rental business model across crane types, though specializing in aerial platforms rather than heavy recovery, and operating at larger international scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ModernBerging
• Facebookfacebook.com/Modernbv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/modern-b-v-kraanverhuur-auto--transport-en-bergingsbedrijf-en-verhuur-van-evenementen-tenten-

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Modern