New Dealer Structure Signals Develon’s Long-Term Dutch Ambitions
Develon has quietly but decisively reshaped its dealer network in the Netherlands, introducing a revised territorial structure designed to strengthen market coverage, improve service responsiveness and support the brand’s longer-term technology ambitions. Effective from 1 January 2026, the changes formalise a three-partner model built around Anema, Staad and the newly expanded ELM Groep, each operating within clearly defined regions.
At first glance, the announcement might read like a routine dealer reshuffle. In reality, it reflects a more strategic recalibration of how Develon intends to compete in one of Europe’s most technically demanding and sustainability-driven construction markets. The Netherlands is a proving ground for high utilisation equipment, strict emissions regulation and rapid adoption of new technologies. Dealer capability, service density and technical competence matter here more than almost anywhere else.
By clarifying responsibilities and aligning each partner with territories that suit their operational strengths, Develon is laying the groundwork for faster response times, deeper customer relationships and a stronger platform for introducing next-generation machines, including electric and low-emission equipment. For contractors, municipalities and plant owners, the practical impact is continuity with familiar service teams, but backed by a more focused and better resourced support structure.
Territory Realignment with Operational Logic
Under the new arrangement, each dealer takes responsibility for a geographically coherent and operationally manageable region, reducing overlap and ensuring clearer accountability for sales, service and aftermarket support.
Anema, headquartered in Arum, continues to serve the northern and central-northern provinces, including Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, North Holland, Flevoland and Overijssel. These regions combine infrastructure maintenance, agricultural contracting and large-scale civil works, all of which demand reliable excavators, loaders and dump trucks supported by rapid field service.
ELM Groep, based in Waddinxveen, now covers Gelderland, Utrecht, South Holland, Zeeland and the western part of North Brabant up to the A27 motorway. This territory includes some of the country’s most densely developed and environmentally regulated areas, where urban construction, municipal work and zero-emission zones are becoming the norm rather than the exception.
Staad, operating from Veghel, is responsible for Limburg and the eastern part of North Brabant beyond the A27. This region has a strong industrial and logistics base, alongside quarrying and infrastructure projects that place heavy demands on tracked machines and articulated dump trucks.
Each dealer is fully responsible for the sales and servicing of Develon’s crawler, wheeled and mini or midi excavators, wheel loaders, dozers and articulated dump trucks within their respective territories. The clarity of this structure reduces friction, simplifies customer engagement and allows each partner to invest more confidently in people, tooling and inventory.
Service Continuity Without Disruption
One of the most important aspects of the reorganisation is what does not change. For customers already operating Develon machines, day-to-day operations remain uninterrupted. Existing service contracts, maintenance schedules and points of contact continue as before, with the same engineers and service teams supporting machines in the field.
Across all three dealers, extensive on-site service networks are in place, covering everything from emergency repairs to planned maintenance and warranty work. Engineers bring years of hands-on experience with earthmoving equipment, a factor that remains critical as machines become more complex and uptime expectations continue to rise.
Beyond servicing, Anema, ELM Groep and Staad each maintain stocks of new and used Develon machines, allowing them to respond quickly to changing customer requirements. Flexible service agreements, rental options and access to advanced attachments further broaden the support offering, particularly for contractors managing fluctuating workloads or short-term projects.
The result is a network that feels familiar to customers, but operates with sharper focus and greater efficiency behind the scenes.
The Strategic Dutch Market
The Netherlands occupies a unique position within the European construction equipment landscape. It is a relatively small market by volume, but one with outsized influence due to its early adoption of emissions regulation, digital fleet management and alternative powertrains.
Zero-emission construction zones are expanding, particularly in urban areas, pushing contractors to rethink fleet composition and accelerating demand for electric and hybrid machines. At the same time, high labour costs and tight project schedules place a premium on machine reliability, service quality and lifecycle support.
For manufacturers, success in the Netherlands often signals readiness for wider European adoption. A dealer network that can handle advanced diagnostics, high-voltage systems and complex compliance requirements is no longer optional. Develon’s decision to refine its territorial structure should be read in this context, as an investment in capability rather than simple coverage.
Building on Strength in the Mobile Excavator Segment
Develon has established a strong position in the Dutch market, particularly in mobile excavators, which are widely regarded as market leaders for road, utility and municipal work. These machines are well suited to the Netherlands’ dense infrastructure network, where mobility, versatility and road travel capability are essential.
However, the company’s ambitions extend well beyond this segment. With the introduction of its latest generation of tracked excavators, Develon is clearly targeting a larger share of heavy earthmoving and infrastructure projects traditionally dominated by established global brands.
The DX260LC-9 tracked excavator has become a focal point of this push. In an independent test conducted in Norway, the machine achieved the highest score ever recorded, outperforming competing models from other major manufacturers. While test conditions and methodologies vary, such results carry weight in a market that values objective performance data over marketing claims.
For Dutch contractors, particularly those working on large civil engineering and infrastructure projects, this signals that Develon is no longer content to compete on niche strengths alone. The dealer reorganisation ensures that this expanded product ambition is matched by local sales expertise and service capacity.
ELM Groep’s Expanded Role and Technical Focus
The most notable development within the new structure is the expanded role of ELM Groep. Founded in 1926, the company has nearly a century of experience supplying machinery to industry, municipalities, agriculture and horticulture. Its deep roots in the Dutch market and long-standing relationships with public sector clients make it a natural partner for Develon’s evolving strategy.
Previously operating as a sub-dealer for Develon earthmoving machines, ELM Groep has now been awarded a larger territory alongside a collaborative role in the development of zero-emission electric equipment. This marks a shift from purely commercial representation towards a more integrated technical partnership.
The Netherlands’ regulatory environment, combined with ambitious national climate targets, makes it an ideal testbed for electric construction machinery. ELM Groep’s expanded remit positions it at the centre of this transition, bridging manufacturer development with real-world customer requirements.
Collaboration with ETEC Zero Emission
A key element of this strategy is the collaboration with ETEC Zero Emission, a company specialising in electric drivetrains and energy solutions for heavy equipment. The partnership brings together Develon’s machine platforms with local expertise in battery systems, charging infrastructure and control integration.
This setup allows electric excavators to be tailored to Dutch and wider European jobsite conditions, rather than adapted as afterthoughts from diesel designs. Performance parity with diesel machines remains a central requirement, particularly in terms of duty cycles, hydraulic response and overall productivity.
The collaboration has already resulted in a new line of Develon electric excavators, including both wheeled and crawler models. These machines feature high-capacity battery configurations designed to operate for a full working day on a single charge, addressing one of the most common concerns among contractors considering electrification.
Advanced charging solutions and power management systems are integrated to support overnight depot charging and, where necessary, opportunity charging on site. For municipalities and contractors operating in zero-emission zones, this combination of performance and practicality is essential.
Preparing the Network for Electrification at Scale
Introducing electric machines is only part of the challenge. Supporting them in the field requires trained technicians, specialised tooling and a different approach to service planning. High-voltage systems, battery health monitoring and software updates add layers of complexity that traditional diesel-focused networks are not always prepared for.
By aligning ELM Groep’s expanded territory with its role in electric machine development, Develon is effectively creating a centre of competence within its Dutch network. Knowledge gained from early deployments can be shared across Anema and Staad, raising overall capability without duplicating development effort.
This approach reduces risk for customers adopting new technology, as they are supported by dealers who have direct involvement in the machines’ development and validation. It also positions Develon to respond quickly as regulations tighten and demand for zero-emission equipment accelerates across Europe.
A Network Designed for the Next Decade
Taken together, the dealer territory changes represent more than administrative housekeeping. They reflect a broader recognition that market leadership in construction equipment increasingly depends on service quality, technical depth and the ability to support new powertrains and digital systems.
For Develon, the Netherlands serves as both a key commercial market and a strategic laboratory. A well-structured dealer network allows the company to test new products, refine support models and build credibility in segments where expectations are high and tolerance for downtime is low.
For customers, the benefits lie in faster response times, clearer points of contact and access to a broader range of machines and technologies supported by experienced local partners. Familiar faces remain, but within a framework designed to handle the realities of modern construction.
As infrastructure investment continues and the push towards low- and zero-emission construction gathers pace, the strength of local dealer networks will increasingly determine which manufacturers succeed. Develon’s revised Dutch structure suggests a company preparing not just for the next sales cycle, but for the next decade of change.
