A partnership built on trust
The collaboration between AVK Ravestein (formerly Ravestein Rubberparts) and Holmatro began in 2003 and has since grown into a close and trusted partnership. AVK Ravestein primarily produces bellows for Holmatro’s tools. The bellow is a critical rubber component that holds hydraulic oil and must meet extremely tight tolerances to remain 100% leak-proof during operation.
When fluctuations in compound quality began affecting the performance due to several takeovers in the Dutch rubber industry among producers of the pre-material, AVK Ravestein noticed that the quality of the supplied compound changed and no longer met the strict requirements that are set for this product. Therefore, AVK Ravestein involved the expertise of AVK GUMMI to co-develop a dedicated compound solution for Holmatro’s needs.
A tailor-made rubber compound and an even stronger collaboration
Together, Holmatro, AVK Ravestein, and AVK GUMMI launched an intensive development process. Through close collaboration between quality and R&D teams, a new compound was formulated and tested extensively at Holmatro’s facilities.
The result is a compound that not only meets but exceeds the performance of the original material – a compound exclusively for Holmatro. This pre-material has been used in all Holmatro bellows since mid-2024, and the new solution has reduced internal disruptions to virtually zero and improved production efficiency on both sides.
From Supplier to Strategic Partner
Over the years, the relationship between Holmatro and AVK has intensified, and open communication, mutual trust, and shared innovation have laid the foundation for a true partnership.
With both Holmatro and AVK GUMMI operating in China, the US, and the Netherlands – and with AVK GUMMI currently establishing production in the US – there are great opportunities to localise production and further optimise collaboration in the future.
Holmatro continues to innovate at the forefront of rescue technology, and AVK stands ready as a partner in rubber solutions – thinking ahead, side by side.
Customer
Holmatro Group
Product
Rescue equipment – custom-developed hydraulic bellows for high-performance tools
Facts
Holmatro was founded in 1967 and has been a respected name in rescue equipment since 1979. With divisions in the United States since 1984 and in China since 2008, Holmatro was acquired by Madison Industries in 2019.
Holmatro serves emergency services worldwide with advanced equipment for cutting, spreading, shoring, stabilizing, lifting, and breaching.
Among its many innovations, Holmatro launched the T1 in 2023 – a groundbreaking multifunctional tool described as the Swiss army knife of rescue tools.
