Milestones

Milestones

RIG Investments was founded by its CEO Henk J. Keilman in 1987. The company was originally set up as a holding company, facilitating the activities of Holland Trust, a financial services and trust company. In 1990 Henk decided to expand the investment activities of RIG. Being aware of the EU decision in 1993 to deregulate the telecom industry in Europe during 1997 and 1998, Henk sensed an interesting opportunity and as a result invested in telecommunication venture NetSource Europe in 1994. In April of 1997 NetSource realized a listing on the Oslo stock exchange. The company rapidly saw its market value increase from US$ 10 million to a market value of well over a US$ 150 million by the end of 1997. In November 1998 NetSource was sold to Global Telesystems Group, a US based telecom provider, for more than US$ 400 million.

In 1996 RIG acquired the North American rights to Gloria Vanderbilt, a well-known international fashion trademark. In April of 2002 Gloria Vanderbilt was sold to a large US based fashion company.

In 1999 RIG Investments successfully sold Holland Trust to a large, international Trust Group. In November 2003 RIG became a 50% investor in 2waytraffic, an interactive media and television company, which was listed in 2006. The acquisition of the world wide rights to the renowned television format "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?" instantly transformed 2waytraffic into a global leader in the television business. In June 2008 2waytraffic was sold to Sony Pictures Entertainment for EUR 145 million.

As of 2006 RIG’s investment focus shifted to renewable energy solutions, anticipating major expansion within this sector as a result of the looming shortages of fossil fuel, the quadrupling of the oil price since 2003 and the feared climate change.

Since then RIG has expanded its investment portfolio with a number of companies in the renewable energy sector as well as investments in renewable energy infrastructure such as wind parks, solar parks and biofuel production units. In 2006 RIG acquired a 45% stake in Emergya Wind Technologies (EWTH N.V.), a Dutch manufacturer of wind turbines, using the advanced "direct drive" technology. EWT is owner of this technology, and presently the company is rapidly growing its business through a combination of international expansion and market driven evolutionary product development, such as the new 2MW turbine.

In June 2008 Gijrath Media Group (GMG) and RIG Investments agreed on RIG’s participation of 25% in the new company We Are Green 2 BV. The cooperation focuses on the (inter)national exploitation of the GMG developed sustainable lifestyle concept Green.2, consisting of the world’s first green glossy and an internet portal.

Also in June 2008, RIG took a substantial share in Algaelink, an international manufacturer of algae growing equipment for generating biofuels. The company, based in Roosendaal, combines unique technology, industry knowledge and management capacities to make algae growing commercially viable today.

RIG is currently further expanding its sustainable investment portfolio. Therefore RIG is (co-)establishing a number of investment funds to optimally manage and grow its investments in the renewable energy sector.