|
| |
Company profile
  
Our business was
established in 1969 in Bergen op Zoom. The name Rhigo arose out of a combination
of two names: RHIWA and WIGO. Those businesses had a financial interest in our
company in the distant past. RHIWA in Rotterdam, a dealership for articles in
the field of coachwork and shipbuilding, together with WIGO in Gorinchem (still
in business: www.wigo.nl) which
specialises in heavy duty windows and portholes for ships. This is how the name RHIWA-WIGO
came into being, later abbreviated to RHIGO.
In 1974 our company
became part of the glass concern Pieterman which wanted to expand its sales
opportunities for toughened glass. In 1984 Pieterman passed into other hands and
RHIGO did not fit into the strategy of the new owners. RHIGO was transferred to
the management at the time, which was free from that moment to determine its
course on its own initiative.
Some developments since
then:
-
The aluminium profiles
from which our ships’ windows are made were made more suitable for the market,
both in form and appearance.
-
The method of fixing of
our windows in the side of the ship was improved (no more fixing with screws
for which holes always had to be drilled, but fixing from the inside, with
clamp blocks).
-
We bought better
bending machines to improve the manufacturing accuracy of the ships’ windows.
-
We had special software
developed to improve control of the whole production process and to better
oversee the costs.
-
The increasing demand
for double glazing was met with by acquiring our own production line for double
glazing, whereby we became independent of the glass manufacturers and were
able to realise shorter delivery times.
-
The choice of profiles
was extended with heavier profile systems for larger ships, and with types
that could be mounted sunk into the side.
-
Doors were introduced
into the range. First with a single-leaf revolving door, later followed by
two-part doors (folding open) and three-part folding doors. And now also
sliding doors.
-
Through an increase in
the use of yachts in the early and late part of the season, the demand for
profiles less subject to condensation increased. Our “Thermobloc" profile was
added, that uses an interruption in the aluminium to prevent the cold being
let through from the outside to the inside.
-
For our windscreens we
developed modern and more solid profiles.
-
Our customers let us
know that they would also like to buy portholes and escape hatches from us. We
therefore developed our own range of portholes and escape hatches to which we
for a very good reason gave the name “Prestige". These meet the most demanding
category of CE requirements namely suitability for the ocean.
In 2006 the business was
transferred to the next generation.
Latest developments:
-
The development of a
heavy, thermally insulated profile: RT06 or RhigoTHERM. Windows made out of
this profile are fitted with double glazing.
-
Introduction of an
electrically-controlled (24 Volt DC or 230 Volt AC) folding window.
-
Introduced november
2007 on the METS Amsterdam: The Rhigo flushline escape hatch. A hatch that is more flush with the
deck than our Prestige hatch. Very suitable for sailing boats and catamarans
since its top is only 27 mm above the deck.
This is how we came to be
what we now are: a dynamic company operating in the specialised field of ships’
windows, windscreens, entry doors, portholes and escape hatches.
Our customer base
consists of yacht builders with a production of a few vessels per year but
includes also the larger production builders. As well as this we supply to
commercial vessels such as patrol boats, fishing boats, ferries, working boats,
party ships, passenger ships and inland waterway vessels. Besides this, a number
of private boat owners find their way to us.
RHIGO B.V.
Registration number at
the Chamber of Commerce: 20058611
VAT number:
008759650B.01
|
