Built on experience. Driven by progress.

Leadership that delivers transformation

Rather than advising from the outside, Richard works within organisations to make change happen from the inside out. His leadership style combines strategic clarity with operational drive, aligning people, purpose, and performance.

He builds momentum through trust, accountability and ownership, ensuring that transformation becomes part of an organisation’s DNA.
From early-stage growth to global scale-ups, Richard’s focus is always the same: turning ambition into measurable results that endure.

“Real change happens when strategy meets
execution — and people believe in both.”

— Richard van den Dool

Proven track records

Over the past decades, Richard has led companies at the intersection
of technology and commercialisation — turning technical potential into
profitable, scalable business models.

ENRX Group (VP Charge)

At ENRX, Richard structured and developed the company’s global charge business across e-mobility, industrial automation and wireless power transfer. Under his leadership, ENRX secured the first U.S. electrified highway pilot, expanded heavy-duty charging for public transport and logistics, and built new OEM partnerships in industrial power transfer worldwide.

IPT Technology (CEO & Shareholder)

Richard led the full turnaround and scale-up of IPT, transforming it from a pioneering R&D company into a commercially driven market leader. He delivered a multi-year roadmap, secured new investment, acquired and integrated Bombardier Primove GmbH, and restored IPT’s innovation leadership — ultimately guiding its successful exit to Arendals Fossekompani, the owner of ENRX Group.

Nedis / Datwyler Group (Global CCO & Managing Director 12 entities)

He transformed a traditional European electronics distributor into a digitally driven, pan-European organisation, achieving over 25 % growth and more than €12 million EBITDA improvement. Richard centralised 12 subsidiaries, implemented a unified digital commerce strategy, and led multiple M&A and market-entry initiatives in Turkey, India, Poland and Russia.

Fluiconnecto / Manuli (Global CCO & Regional MD roles)

Richard unified twelve acquired companies under the brand “One Fluiconnecto”, growing revenue from €70 million to €110 million while turning loss-making regions into double-digit profitability. He integrated cross-border operations, implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365, and opened new business units in China and Eastern Europe.

Cascade Corporation (Commercial Director EMEA)

At Cascade, Richard led a full commercial turnaround across ten European subsidiaries, transforming a fragmented organisation into an integrated regional business. He returned EMEA to profitability, grew sales from €56M to €75M, and established joint ventures in Russia and the Czech Republic to expand local market access and long-term presence.

Markem-Imaje Corporation (EMEA Sales & Marketing)

During his eight years at Markem-Imaje, Richard built the Benelux marketing and sales organisation from the ground up and led business development across 35 countries. He grew indirect channel revenue 3.5× in four years, launched a European key-account program for major FMCG brands, and established new partnerships and joint ventures to strengthen the company’s regional growth platform.

What defines Firestone

Firestone stands for leadership that creates measurable progress.
We help technology-driven companies and their investors build
alignment between innovation, execution and people — combining strategic
direction with hands-on management to achieve sustainable growth.

Our work focuses on industries shaping the future of electrification
and automation, including e-mobility, industrial automation, logistics,
electrification, and electronics.

We act as partners, not observers — taking ownership for results and,
when appropriate, reinforcing our commitment through long-term
involvement or financial participation.