Riwal non-committal on Catinot partnership

A Riwal spokesperson told Access International that it would neither confirm or deny the story. However, it said that its strategy to establish rental businesses in south eastern Europe and the Middle East had been 'interrupted” by an opportunity closer to home. Riwal is now engaged in discussions with a potential partner, although it would not reveal the identity of the partner.

Mr Catinot told AI that it was too early to comment on his plans.

Riwal still has a strategy to open access rental businesses in southeast Europe. A depot was established in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in August and it now has 35 machines in its fleet. Other openings in the Balkans region are planned.

Meanwhile, Genie has appointed Jim Otley to replace Mr Catinot. Mr Otley was formerly European operations manager at Genie Europe but will now take on additional responsibilities for sales in the regions. Owen Jervis, previously Genie UK“s operations manager, has been appointed European operations manager.

Mr Catinot's departure also means additional responsibilities for three of Genie's salesmen in Europe. John Fuller, divisional sales manager for the UK and Ireland, has the Middle East and Benelux added to his post; Stein Adolfsen, Genie's Scandinavia sales manager, becomes divisional sales manager for North and Eastern Europe; and Jose Miguel Pena, current sales manager for Spain and Portugal, is now divisional sales manager for Southern Europe and North Africa.