Recently, Thomas van Grootel (International Commercial Director) and Frans van Asseldonk (Commercial Director) from Staad visited Sweden to attend the Emission-free Work Machines and Procurement 2025 conference in Stockholm. The event brought together around 180 participants from across the value chain, including manufacturers, municipalities and contractors, focused on advancing electric and emission-free work machinery.

During their visit, we had the pleasure of welcoming Thomas and Frans to the Netherlands Embassy in Stockholm to learn more about Staad’s pioneering work, their expansion into the Swedish market, and how Dutch innovation is helping drive Europe’s green transition in construction.

From Dealer to Pioneer
Founded in 2013, Staad began as a regional importer of Develon earth-moving equipment in the Netherlands. Over the past decade, it has built a strong reputation for reliability, customer service, and innovation. But as environmental regulations tightened and cities began demanding cleaner construction, Staad saw an opportunity to lead.

“When we realized that major manufacturers were still years away from bringing large electric machines to the market, we decided to build them ourselves,” says Staad’s Commercial Director. “That marked the beginning of a completely new chapter for our company.”

Today, Staad converts existing diesel excavators into fully electric models powered by in-house developed, patented swappable battery systems. From mid-sized mobile excavators to 55-ton giants, its emission-free machines are already operating on construction sites across the Netherlands and in Sweden.

Innovation on Every Level
The technology behind Staad’s machines is as bold as its ambition. Building on a long-standing partnership with Develon, Staad began by converting conventional diesel excavators into fully electric models, replacing the combustion engine with its own battery and drive systems. Over time, that expertise evolved into a new phase: developing machines that are electric from the very start. The company now designs and assembles all key electrical components in-house, including the battery modules, drive systems, and control software. At its facility in Veghel, these technologies are integrated both into Develon’s machine platforms and into Staad’s own fully electric excavators, creating a strong combination of reliability and innovation.

A cornerstone of Staad’s approach is its swappable battery system. The custom-built battery packs can be exchanged within minutes, allowing operators to continue working without waiting for charging. “Our goal is to make the electric experience as easy as diesel,” the Commercial Director explains. “You swap a battery instead of refueling, and you’re back to work.”

In addition to its technical developments, Staad is also changing how electric construction equipment is delivered and supported. Through its Energy as a Service model, customers receive not only the machine, but also the charging solution, energy supply, and ongoing technical support in one integrated package. This lowers the threshold for construction companies to switch to electric fleets, particularly on temporary or remote sites where access to power can be challenging. 

 

Working and Connecting in Sweden
Staad’s innovations have also caught attention abroad, particularly in Sweden, a country with strong ambitions for climate-neutral construction. Over the past year, the company has built partnerships with Swedish contractors and local authorities to explore how Dutch and Swedish expertise can reinforce each other.

“Sweden is a frontrunner when it comes to sustainable infrastructure,” says the International Commercial Director. “Their long-term vision and trust-based way of working align well with our own values. But it’s important to take the time to build relationships. You can’t rush into partnerships, you have to earn trust.”

When asked what advice Staad would give to other Dutch entrepreneurs entering the Swedish market, the International Commercial Director is clear: “Invest time in understanding how things are done locally. Visit in person, listen carefully, and be transparent about what you bring to the table. Once the relationship is there, collaboration becomes easy and very rewarding.”

What’s Next for Staad?
With a growing production line, new development facilities in Oss and Harlingen, and an ambitious plan to build more electric machines each year, Staad’s journey is only just beginning. By 2030, the company aims for 70 percent of its business to be international.

“Change is constant,” says the Commercial Director. “We started as a dealer, became a developer, and now we’re a manufacturer.”
On Entrepreneurs’ day, Staad’s story reminds us how Dutch innovation and determination can help shape a more sustainable future, both at home and abroad. Every step by entrepreneurs like Staad brings us closer to a construction sector without emissions, and that is something worth digging for.