The full name of the company is RENA Electronica B.V. It all started as a family business in 1981, founded by René Geerts. He initially started to create electronic controls for light and sound installations, such as light emitting disco floors. Not much later, controls for other professional equipment were added to the portfolio, for business areas such as the medical sector, food industry and agri- and horticulture.

 

Philips

In the early 90’s RENA (re-)added the entertainment sector to their clientele when the company started to produce electronic (software) controls for amusement park rides in Speelstad Oranje. RENA grew, hired more staff, and built a new production- and office location at De Ambachten in Zundert. As the 90’s came to an end, high-power LEDs made their appearance. RENA quickly anticipated and became one of the pioneers in electronic PCB’s with LEDs. A collaboration with Philips followed, where RENA acted as ‘purveyor’ in the production of LED systems. So in addition to electronics, RENA grew to play an important role in LED lighting.

 

Growth potential

In 2013, the company was acquired by a Canadian private investor who saw major growth potential. By this time RENA had clearly proven to be a specialist in the field of electronics and lighting. Since then, the company has been investing to grow even further. New buildings at the Industrieweg were added and the machinery was extended to meet world standards. In addition, a great deal of professionalisation was implemented in the personnel. The infrastructure and management system have also been improved. Fifteen years ago, RENA’s customer base was mainly made up out of Dutch companies, but now their products are shipped to more than 25 countries. The roots of the personnel is also very diverse, counting around 15 nationalities. In recent years RENA hired many older employees because of their added value of knowledge and experience. It’s a kind of ‘melting pot’ of cultures and this works.

 

Street lighting

When it comes to street lighting, RENA works with parties who sell systems to municipalities. Of all LED street lighting in England and France, about a quarter of the light engines were produced at RENA. A great achievement for a company from Zundert!

 

Growing businesses

RENA is also active in the horticulture sector. This sector is changing over to LED lighting and electronics, and RENA fulfils an important role in this transition. Aside from horticulture, the enterprise operates in the offshore-sector as OEM supplier: they deliver specialised bespoke lighting for oil rigs, wind farms, helicopter decks and sea-going vessels. In this case, only the light modules are delivered. RENA is proud of the role that they still play in the entertainment sector. They are often involved in everything that has to do with light and sound at festivals and also TV, studio and theater lighting. Last year, for example, RENA contributed to the lighting of Windsor Castle at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan. And there are many projects to come!

 

(This article first appeared in Dutch on RegioInBedrijf.nl)