Driven by quality: How RSP is pioneering UK growth in suction excavation

An interview with Charlie Gardener, Director at RSP UK Suction Excavators Ltd, by Trenchless Works Editor, Austen Lees.

“Our commitment to family values, coupled with a focus on service excellence and technical innovation, underpins our ongoing success and growth in a highly competitive landscape

In 1993, Marina Renger, Karl-Heinz Renger, and Jens Graber founded the Reschwitzer Saugbagger Produktions GmbH (RSP GmbH for short) business in Germany. On 15 April 1993, production began with three employees in Saalfeld, and over the next 30 years, the RSP brand has expanded globally, with the group now employing over 800 people across three continents and RSP machines at work in over 30 countries.

The company quickly gained a reputation for innovation and reliability, and throughout the decades, it has expanded and diversified its products for the construction sector, helping to advance its customers’ performance. Today, RSP is recognised as a leader in the industry, continually evolving to meet market demands and sustainable practices.

RSP UK’s rapid growth began when Jens met Lloyd and Charlie Gardener in the early 2000s, and their shared values quickly paved the way for the successful growth of RSP under the combined leadership of the Gardener, Renger, and Graber families. Under their guidance, RSP has continued to innovate and expand its product offerings while maintaining its reputation for high quality. >

When a customer invests £400,000–550,000, we need to help them ensure that investment is protected and maximised. A key aspect of this is ensuring optimal utilisation to maximise return on investment

Speaking with Charlie, it’s clear that the family values that were so important in establishing the business remain crucial today. She recognises the significance of having the founders’ children still involved in the company and appreciates the parallels with other successful German manufacturers like Liebherr, which demonstrate an almost family-like relationship with their employees. “This commitment to family values, coupled with a focus on service excellence and technical innovation, underpins our ongoing success and growth in a highly competitive landscape,” says Charlie.

RSP’s global reach with local service

In Germany, RSP employs over 600 skilled professionals, while the UK business has grown to nearly 40 employees, encompassing a range of technical, operational, and support roles. This expansion underscores RSP’s commitment to investing in the talent and resources needed to meet the demands of its customers and maintain its leadership in the suction excavation industry.

Following the establishment of a new production facility in Bad Langensalza, RSP now boasts four production sites, ensuring there is sufficient manufacturing capability to support its continued growth in the UK and around the world.

The company has also recently invested in a parts and new service centre, aiming to deliver parts globally within just 24 hours, thereby enhancing customer support and operational efficiency. R & G Group, RSP’s holding group, has also recognised the value of controlling its supply chain to minimise dependency on external sources for parts and materials. This back integration effectively reduces risk, ensuring that, on the rare occasion there is an issue with a machine, it can become operational as quickly as possible. Charlie points out that, “the premium associated with an RSP unit is negated if a machine is off the road for any period of time, and that’s why we are so committed to high levels of service and maintenance.”

Adding value through dedicated support

When I ask Charlie about RSP’s ability to add value throughout the life of the machine, she quickly agrees, noting, “When a customer invests £400,000–550,000, we need to help them ensure that investment is protected and maximised. A key aspect of this is ensuring optimal utilisation to maximise return on investment. RSP’s commitment to support enables operators to approach each site confidently, equipped with the knowledge they need to complete the job quickly and efficiently.”

Charlie emphasises that the operator’s skills are crucial to delivering success; a machine is only as effective as the person operating it. Therefore, training and support are essential. This collective effort allows RSP to assist customers in reaping the benefits of suction excavation technology, which is increasingly recognised for its operational, commercial, and safety advantages in delivering and maintaining underground utilities.

For this reason, RSP is leading the way in championing recruitment within the sector and is committed to fostering the growth of the entire suction excavation market in the UK. A significant challenge is finding the right individuals; it’s not as simple as picking people off the street. RSP invests in training and support to ensure these recruits have the necessary skills.

When discussing the new parts centre and its added value, Charlie points out that support starts even earlier: “Suction excavators are complex pieces of equipment, which is why we employ initial call handlers to triage calls before directing them to technical experts for real-time assistance. We aim to provide live technical advice within 15 minutes, escalating issues to engineering managers if necessary. If neither solution resolves the problem, we strive to dispatch an engineer the next day or as soon as possible.” Impressively, approximately 9 out of 10 issues are resolved over the phone. All this support is available 24/7, demonstrating the value of RSP’s premium offering.

Resourcing the future

In addition to taking on two engineering apprentices, RSP has demonstrated its commitment to resourcing its UK business and the wider suction excavation sector by bridging the gap between becoming an HGV driver and evolving into a highly skilled and sought-after suction excavator operator—paving the way for lucrative career opportunities.

When asked about the challenges of finding qualified machine operators, Charlie highlights a lack of education and awareness. To combat this, she references her collaboration with Bedford College to educate students about suction excavators and the diverse career opportunities that exist in the industry. Charlie emphasises that, despite the current tough economic climate, this sector is experiencing growth and stability, boasting secure and rewarding job prospects. >

Customer-led innovation

Innovation is a cornerstone of the company’s philosophy, driven by the needs of its operators and clients. Every new development, whether it’s software or advanced tools, is rooted in customer feedback. A prime example of this commitment is the new ESE 6 suction excavator, which underwent rigorous prototype testing in the market. Feedback from users directly informed its design, engineering, and product development, ensuring that it meets the specific needs of operators across multiple regions, including the UK and France.

The ESE 6 stands out not only for its distinct appearance but also for its impressive array of new features. One notable innovation is the unique swivel joint at the end of the hose, a request voiced by customers seeking enhanced usability. This advancement provides operators with greater excavating reach and functionality and positions RSP as the sole manufacturer offering this feature. As a result, the ESE 6 is rapidly becoming the most in-demand machine among RSP’s impressive customer list.

RSP is also the only manufacturer to have developed a fully electric suction excavator, demonstrating that the challenges associated with delivering adequate power for the fan can be overcome. While a move to more sustainable machines is inevitable, Charlie emphasises that there needs to be a greater commitment from the UK government to provide the required infrastructure to accelerate this transition.

This customer-led approach to innovation not only satisfies current market demands but also sets the standard for future advancements in suction excavation technology. The build quality is reflected in a comment recently made to Charlie by a customer, who said, “You pay for a premium product, and it performs in a premium way.”

Growing the suction excavation market

When asked what changes could help accelerate the use of sustainable and costeffective technologies, Charlie emphasises that making the use of suction excavators mandatory would significantly enhance safety for those still relying on traditional methods. Fortunately, many are already recognising the benefits and choosing suction excavation as their preferred option.

Charlie reiterates that, “the sector must work diligently to attract more talent and raise awareness of the career opportunities available. It’s crucial to have the right people operating these machines; however, recruiting and training them can be expensive.”

Additionally, she highlights a concerning trend: “as skilled individuals retire, their expertise is not being adequately replaced, leading to a loss of vital knowledge within the sector.”

Finally, while she prefers not to delve too deeply into politics, Charlie notes the significant challenges facing businesses in the UK currently: “Increases in National Insurance and potential cuts to Capital

Allowances, such as the Annual Investment Allowance, create economic headwinds that could hinder capital investment and do little to support the growth of a market focused on making work safer and more sustainable.”

It was fascinating to spend time talking to Charlie and gaining insight into what is undoubtedly a good news story for both the sector and the UK. Next year marks RSP UK’s 10th birthday, and it seems they have every reason to celebrate!