Dear Mr President John and Mrs President, Dear Gentlemen of the Executive Committee Dear THLG Members, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, My father asked me to hold this speech on his behave. No worry, he is in good health and enjoys life, but coming back after a week holiday playing with his 3 grand-children in the South yesterday and going by car to Antwerp on the next day is a bit to much travelling! He needs a rest! My father believes you will understand it and he is looking forward to see you all again in good health at the next meeting in Bremen! My father wishes you all a remarkable evening. He is very proud that the THLG now has reached its 30th anniversary since the date of the foundation on the 21. Of March in 1987 in the Queens Hotel in Hagen/Germany by 7 specialists of mid-sized Transport- und Rigging companies mainly operation in Europe. At that time my father invited his European colleagues to the meeting in order to found the EHLG = EUROPEAN HEAVY LIFT GROUP“: Found-Members D.R. Hird of Hird Ltd. UK Ingvar Olson of ASG Sweden Yves Dhur of Mayer SA France Riccardo Tippmann of Fagoilo Italy Bernd Schüler, Heavy Lift-Consultion M.M. Maasen of Dabekauen BV, Netherland, being now the member Van der Vlist, Jos Williams, who has supported the THLG over many years. And himself Rolf D. Riedl of ROLF RIEDL GMBH The idea behind the EHLG: the EU-Market became reality and grew, my Father needed strong trustful experienced partners for his new established company, the „Rolf Riedl GmbH, International Heavy Transportation and Rigging, Global Project Service!“ From 1995 on the EHLG gained more global activities as together with his partner Hans Kiehntopf a worldwide known Project-forwarder he opened the international working company Transgerma, Riedl & Kiehntopf. Several of his international partners joined the EHLG, so that the President Doug Hird asked for a meeting to change the name of the EHLG into the, THE HEAVY LIFT GROUP to improve the co-operation with our global partners. We can look back to hard working and successful 30 years. – And my father wants to thank you much for your loyalty and cooperation. Without your engagement the Group wouldn’t have this high ranking on the market. It’s your merit! A special thank goes to the former and present presidents Doug Hird, Luis Branco, Bruce Bird, Emre Eldener, Paul Furlonger and our recent president John Mickler. And of course the work of the executive committee. Last but not least to all member, that hosted the conference in his or her home country. Thank you very must for your hospitality, that maid each conference a unique experience. The THLG has achieved a very good name in the international shipping and forwarding market and is well known worldwide! The THLG Members have won several worldwide projects together and showing professionalism, some of the members even work on an almost every day basis. THLG’s 30 Years Power in Unity by our experienced Members today is well established on the global market. My father was often asked what is the secret behind the success of the THLG! There is no secret, it is you all, the members standing personally with high profession behind the groups with their local knowledge and working trustful together. The atmosphere full of elegance and charm of this restaurant is the ideal place for a wonderful evening in good company. My father is sure that also his friend Doug Hird would have loved to lift with us his Glass for a toast on this very special occasion. So may we all raise our glasses! To you, to your health and a successful further 30 years of the heavy lift group.
March 9, 2026
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