Hamevac vacuümtechniek BV

What Hamevac vacuümtechniek BV does

Hamevac vacuümtechniek BV is a privately held, family-owned Dutch industrial equipment manufacturer founded in 1978 by Hans van Nifterik, who invented the first paving machine using vacuum technology and holds a Guinness World Record for the achievement. The company designs and manufactures vacuum lifting units and mechanical paving equipment for the GWW (Grond-, Water- en Wegenbouw / civil engineering) sector, with a product portfolio spanning the VTH-series tegeltillers (150–500 kg tile handlers for hand or machine use), VHU-series heavy-duty hijsunits (1,000–3,000 kg lifting units in petrol, diesel, hydraulic, and battery variants including a zero-emission AR version), VVO-series fixed-mount units, and the Blower Vacuum Bestratingsmachine for mechanical paving per square meter. A proprietary Blowervacuüm system uniquely addresses porous concrete products at only 20% vacuum with high air displacement, a problem competitors reportedly struggle to solve.

The company's core technology is mechanical vacuum generation and pneumatic lifting, differentiated by domain specialization rather than electronics or software. Distribution is channel-led: 12+ authorized Dutch dealers provide national coverage, with import partners Alle Bouw Machines NV (Belgium/Luxembourg) and Optimas (Germany and now the United States) extending reach internationally; a national rental fleet partnership with Boels Rental has been active for over a decade, and direct e-commerce via Hamevacshop supplements the model. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with products sold as hardware units plus accessories (suction cups, traverses, generator frames, transport wagons) and custom-built solutions for specialized applications (e.g., memorial/cemetery asymmetric suction cups).

Second-generation owner Michiel van Nifterik leads the business alongside Marketing & Sales lead Arjan van Oirschot. Customer segments span GWW contractors, hoveniers/landscapers, industrial facilities, equipment rental companies, and a co-development partnership with IGMS for mechanical paving machines. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of vacuum lifting units and accessories, with cumulative flagship volumes exceeding 6,000 units of the VTH-150-BL tegeltiller since 2011 and a total installed base nearing 8,000 units across the VTH/VHU product families. The company maintains an active marketing presence through trade shows (notably BAUMA), a content-led blog and YouTube channel (HamevacTV), webinars, and multilingual websites.

Name

Hamevac vacuümtechniek BV

Legal name

Hamevac vacuümtechniek BV

Website

https://hamevac.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hamevac vacuümtechniek BV is a Dutch family-owned manufacturer, founded in 1978, that designs vacuum lifting units and mechanical paving machines for the GWW civil engineering sector, selling through an extensive BeNeLux and German dealer network plus a long-standing Boels Rental fleet partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vacuum Lifting Equipment

NAICS

Construction Machinery Manufacturing (333120), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)

SIC

Construction Machinery & Equip (3531), Construction, Mining & Materials Handling Machinery & Equip (3530)

akta.pro primary industry

Vacuum Systems & Components (Vacuum Pumps, Ejectors, Cups, Grippers) (IMAHAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cranes, Hoists & Overhead Material Handling (Industrial) (IMAHABAE), Vacuum Pumps & Systems (IMAHANAD)

Keywords

• Vacuum lifting equipment
• Concrete handling machinery
• Vacuum tile lifters
• Construction paving machines
• Civil engineering equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Haarlem

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vacuum lifting equipment sales: Sale of vacuum lifting units (VTH and VHU series) and accessories including suction cups, traverse/evenaar systems, and custom solutions. Products sold through dealers, import partners, and direct e-commerce.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Hamevac designs, manufactures, and sells vacuum lifting units and paving machines used to pick up, move, and lay concrete products (paving tiles, slabs, curb stones, stelcon plates, and elements up to 10,000 kg) in the civil engineering (GWW) sector. The portfolio centers on three vacuum unit families (VTH tegeltillers, VHU hijsunits, VVO fixed mount units) plus the proprietary Blowervacuüm mechanical paving system.

Product overview

Hamevac vacuümtechniek BV offers a comprehensive portfolio of vacuum lifting and handling equipment for the civil engineering (GWW) sector. The product range centers on three main vacuum unit series: the VTH-Serie (hand/machine tile handlers for 150-500kg), VHU-Serie (heavy-duty lifting units with 1000-3000kg capacity), and VVO-Serie (fixed machine-mounted units). Key products include the market-leading VTH-150-BL (blower vacuum for porous materials), VTH-250-A/VTH-500-A (battery-powered for non-porous products), and VHU-3000 (most versatile unit in 9 variants including battery/zero-emission). The Blower Vacuüm Bestratingsmachine, invented by founder Hans van Nifterik in 1978, enables mechanical paving per m2. Supporting accessories include generator frames, transport wagons (Verlegwagen/Tegelvlijer), spreaders (Evenaar/Traverse), and various suction cups. The company also provides educational resources including a free e-book on vacuum technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VTH-serie: Vacuum tegeltillers (tile lifters) series - includes VTH-150-BL, VTH-250-A, VTH-500-A for lifting and placing concrete products up to 500kg
• VHU-serie
• Blowervacuüm
• Greenvac

Products and services

• VTH-150-BL Tegeltiller Blower vacuum tile handler designed for porous concrete products with up to 200kg safe lifting capacity, operating on 230V power and suitable for tiles up to 80x80x10cm. The market-leading tegeltiller in the Netherlands with 6,000+ units sold since launch, targeted at pavers, landscapers, and contractors.
• VTH-250-A Tegeltiller Battery-powered vacuum tile handler for non-porous concrete products with up to 250kg capacity, suited for ceramics and natural stone. Features adjustable handles and up to 8 hours of battery operation; 1,250+ units sold since 2009.
• VTH-500-A Tegeltiller Heavy-duty battery-powered vacuum tile handler for non-porous concrete products with up to 500kg capacity. Machine-only operation with dual pump system offering 1/2 power modes for up to 8 hours of battery life; 500+ units sold since 2009.
• VHU-3000 Vacuum Lifting Unit Heavy-duty machine-independent vacuum lifting unit with 3,000kg capacity and 48m3 high vacuum, available in nine versions (petrol B, diesel D, hydraulic H, battery/zero-emission AR) with optional remote control. Built in a load-bearing frame and targeted at contractors handling heavy concrete elements, stelcon plates, and infrastructure components.
• VHU-3000-AR Zero-Emission Lifting Unit Battery-powered zero-emission variant of the VHU-3000 with 3,000kg capacity, a 110-liter buffer tank for extended operation, integrated charger, and low-voltage protection. Qualifies for the Dutch MIA tax benefit scheme and is sold via 12+ authorized Dutch dealers.
• VVO-Serie (Vacuüm Opbouw) Fixed build-on vacuum units driven by machine hydraulics for permanent installation on construction equipment such as cranes, excavators, and loaders, providing machine-powered vacuum lifting integrated with the host equipment.
• Blower Vacuüm Bestratingsmachine (870 Blower) Mechanical paving system using Hamevac's proprietary Blowervacuüm technology with a 910m3 blower pump mounted on a mobile crane, driven by the crane's hydraulics. Enables machinaal straten per m2 and is used by leading Dutch paving contractors for new construction and repaving of existing non-pre-packaged materials.
• VTH-GF Generatorframe Generator frame accessory for the VTH-150-BL enabling cordless operation when attached to a machine, compatible with camping generators of at least 2000W and mounted with two bolts.

Quantifiable outcome

• VTH-150-BL handles tiles up to 80x80x10cm without problems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• OptimascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2016German import partner since 2016. Sells Hamevac VTH-series as Optimas SV-series (SV200E, SV250A, SV500A) according to German market standards. Partnership extended to include VHU-series. First product for American market (120V) produced through Optimas' US importer network.
• Boels RentalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2015Major rental company partnership since 2015. Initial order of 50 VTH-150-BL units, expanded with continued purchases. Partnership celebrating 10 years in 2025. Boels stocks units in orange RAL color matching their fleet. Units compete head-to-head with Probst products.
• MBI TuinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015Partnership with leading concrete manufacturer MBI (70 years in business). MBI recommends Hamevac products through their building materials trader network as added value service. Hamevac supplies MBI for adequate inventory of tegeltillers and accessories.
• IGMS (Innovatief Gezond Machinaal Straten)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2013Co-development partnership with IGMS group (80% paving companies). Hamevac provides vacuum technology for IGMS-developed machines (Stenenlegger, Multistrater). IGMS determines product direction and requirements; Hamevac handles physical realization. Machines available for rent from €250/day with training for new users.
• Alle Bouw Machines NV (ABM)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2013Import partner for Belgium and Luxembourg since 2013. Purchased over 150 VTH-series tegeltillers and 33 units in single order (VHU-3000-BER, VHU-1000-B, VTH-250-A, VTH-135-BL). Known as 'De BAAS van België' (Boss of Belgium). Provides local sales, service, and support for Belgian and Luxembourg customers.
• Den Hartog BouwmaterieelmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDutch dealer for Hamevac products based in Montfoort. Organized customer events (Relatiedag with 1,100 visitors). Supplier to customers like Skippy Rent. Authorized dealer for VHU-3000-AR electric unit. Connected to tractor pulling sponsorship through Argos Oil Whispering Giant.
• Multiple Dutch Dealers for VHU-3000-ARmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor12+ dealers authorized to sell VHU-3000-AR zero-emission unit: den Hartog (Montfoort), Visser & Visser (Breda), Schuurhuis (Oldebroek), Verkooyen (Vessem), WALK (Oss), DEM (Leeuwarden), VMS (Medemblik), Stammis (Heerhugowaard), Boufix (Hoogeveen), Roode (Middelburg), Visser (Assen), Hermans (Venlo).

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Boels Rental: Major European equipment rental company and Hamevac's key rental channel partner for 10+ years. Customer rather than competitor, but strategic distribution relationship makes them ecosystem-critical to Hamevac's reach into contractor end-users.
• Optimas GmbH: German-based construction equipment manufacturer and Hamevac's import partner for Germany, USA, and other markets since 2016. Strategic channel partner rather than direct competitor, but operates in adjacent paving and slab-laying equipment categories.

Emerging players

• IGMS (Innovatief Gezond Machinaal Straten): Dutch industry group and equipment developer specializing in mechanical paving machines (Stenenlegger, Multistrater). Hamevac's co-development partner providing vacuum technology; complementary rather than directly competing, but operates in same GWW paving ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Vacuworx International: US-based manufacturer of vacuum lifting systems for construction materials including concrete slabs, pipe, and paving stones. Direct peer in North American construction vacuum lifting market that Hamevac is now entering through Optimas.
• Anver Corporation: US-based vacuum lifting equipment manufacturer offering vacuum tube lifters, vacuum hoists, and suction cup attachments. Comparable in vacuum-based material handling technology with similar contractor and industrial customer applications.
• J. Schmalz GmbH: German global leader in vacuum automation technology including vacuum lifters, suction cups, and crane systems. Comparable to Hamevac in vacuum lifting component technology and serves overlapping construction and industrial lifting applications.
• Aero-Lift GmbH: German manufacturer of vacuum tube lifters and crane-mounted vacuum handling systems for construction and industrial use. Comparable in product offering (vacuum-based lifting for heavy materials) and serves European contractor market similar to Hamevac.
• TAWI AB: Swedish manufacturer of vacuum and electric lifting devices for industrial and construction materials handling. Comparable product range (vacuum tube lifters and crane attachments) targeting similar contractor and industrial customer segments.
• Binar Handling AB: Swedish-based provider of vacuum lifting equipment including tube lifters and crane systems for industrial applications. Direct comparable in vacuum lifting technology targeting similar construction and industrial handling use cases.
• Probst GmbH: German-based manufacturer of vacuum handling equipment and paving machines. Directly competes with Hamevac in Boels Rental and other Benelux/German markets with comparable VTH-style tile lifters and paving machines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/hamevacbv
• Facebookfacebook.com/hamevacbv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hamevac-vacuumtechniek-bv
• Instagraminstagram.com/hamevacbv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Hamevac vacuümtechniek BV