1980-2000
The foundations are laid!
The first 20 years of Kiloutou’s life have not been a smooth ride. It was a period of rapid expansion, but also marked by questions, and it was necessary to lay the foundations for the company of today. The watchwords: test & learn. So we try, we succeed, sometimes we stumble, or rather, we refocus. And once the concept has been established, the company can prosper… and it has been doing so for 40 years!
The human element at the centre
Little by little, the branches developed and many teammates came on board. In less than 10 years, Kiloutou employed 350 teammates in 23 branches and concluded 380,000 contracts per year. Kiloutou’s values were taking shape and from the outset, the human element was at the heart of the company. It is therefore quite natural that the company opens its capital to its teammates. This willingness to share the fruits of growth would continue, even with the various changes of shareholders that followed!
Key facts
1988 – The art and know-how of reception becomes a department in its own right
1997 – Kiloutou becomes a partner of La Plateforme du Bâtiment
1998 – Kiloutou is the first rental company to be certified ISO 9002
In 2000, Kiloutou it’s…
75
branches
1 400
team members
800 000
contracts per year
2000-2007
We are becoming more professional!
Kiloutou is now more mature and structured, its model is being perfected. The company is ready to launch new services and is taking the digital turn. It is rewarded and certified!
Key facts
2004 – Kiloutou is certified ISO 9001 version 2000
2005 – Sagard Private Equity becomes a majority shareholder in Kiloutou.
Franky Mulliez steps aside but remains present to witness the Group’s transition to a completely different dimension.
In 2007, Kiloutou it’s…
200
branches
1
acquisition
2 000
team members
1 000 000
contracts per year
2007-2012
We are commited!
Kiloutou is continuing to establish itself in France and is becoming a major local employer. Its mission is clear: Kiloutou must be a player in the environmental transition.
Committed to the planet
- It was 2007 and discussions about sustainable development were gaining momentum.
- Aware of its impact on the environment, Kiloutou will be the first to carry out its carbon footprint in 2010.
- In 2012, the company also signed the Global Compact, aligning its operations and strategy with ten universally accepted points concerning human rights, labour standards, the environment and the fight against corruption. Kiloutou also became the first rental company to include the carbon footprint of its rentals on its commercial documents.
- Finally, in 2013, it established an internal reference system and audited its branches with the help of external and objective companies in order to award them a “sustainable development” label or not.
These are major advances that will make it the “Best European Rental Company”, according to the ERA (European Rental Association). This award recognises Kiloutou’s professionalism, its economic and technological development, but also its commitment to sustainable development.
Key facts
2007 – The internal training school in Marcq-en-Baroeul opens its doors!
2011 – PAI buys Kiloutou’s shares from Sagard
In 2012, Kiloutou it’s…
300
branches
9
acquisitions
3 000
team members
2013-2022
We’re going abroad!
The Kiloutou model and its “serious, but not taken too seriously” working method are winning over European neighbours and 6 new countries are joining the adventure. This fertile ground did not prevent the Group from accelerating its environmental transition and even from taking on the entire industry!
A second life for equipment
In 2016, the company created Kiloutou Matériel d’Occasion (KMO) in response to the problem of an ageing fleet. In this way, it manages to give a second life to nearly 4,000 items of equipment per year, ranging from drills to excavators, which may be old, but are still very much operational!
An employer… Happy!
This success story is first and foremost the story of passionate teammates, who every day demonstrate what we call “yellow blood” in the corridors. Made possible by a benevolent management style that favours autonomy and empowerment, it is the very definition of a company where it is good to work. This is reflected in the HR certifications that are awarded every year, such as Happy Candidates, Happy Trainies and Top Employer, every year since 2014!
Key facts
2016 – The company gives itself a new visual identity: simplified and easily identifiable, it will give rise in 2018 to a communication campaign “that only professionals understand” which speaks more to its main target: professionals
2018 – HLD, a company owned by Dentressangle, becomes a majority shareholder
Deepki becomes a partner to monitor the energy consumption of agencies
2019 – Kiloutou entre sur le marché obligataire avec une première émission publique et cotée à la bourse du Luxembourg
2022 – France commits to reducing electricity and gas consumption in response to the energy crisis by signing the ecowatt and ecogas charters
Kiloutou Module is also committed and offers low energy modules
BTP Magazine and the DLR award Kiloutou the Trophée de la Location, category “Energy Transition!”
In 2022, Kiloutou it’s…
600
branches
43
acquisitions
6 000
team members
2023…
What about tomorrow?
Today, Kiloutou, like most companies, must respond to new challenges. Inflation, the energy crisis and component shortages mean that we must redefine where we are going and how we are going to get there!
Continued growth
Whether organically or through the acquisition of new companies, the coming years should bring more good news. Specialities and generalist networks will continue to develop.
Faits marquants
2023 – During its “Yellow Partner’s Days” exhibition, Kiloutou presents its Equipment Manufacturers’ Environment Trophy to Volvo
The 4th and 5th Sustainable Equipment Meetings bring together manufacturers, customers, rental companies and professional federations to establish concrete and universal proposals for the environmental transition of construction sites.
Kiloutou is named Top Employer for the tenth consecutive year!
2024 – The first retrofitted equipment (from a combustion engine to an electric motor) leaves the factory. A product born of the partnership between Kiloutou and Manitou.