Company Profile

1967 - Birth of RCM

In 1967 the Company moved to Casinalbo near Modena where the main factory and head office still operate under the name of RCM snc. The Company, faced with overwhelming competition from national and foreign giants, became unable to compete adequately in terms of its production of marine motors and industrial motors and machines. So in 1967 after experiencing the problem first hand of how to sweep the Casinalbo factory quickly and efficiently, the idea for a new specific machine was sparked off. Following research into sweepers already on the market, the idea came up to produce an inexpensive model, a sweeper that was small enough to suit most Italian companies yet with high performance to handle heavy industrial debris.

Thus the first RCM motor sweeper came into being, the R700 model, being a variation of a German design. Shortly after this first design came the definitive technical features that are still valid today:
– rear loading hopper for heavy debris as well as dust
– reduction of bulk to a minimum
– cellulose filters
– excellent filtering and vacuum capacity.

1970 - The first R500 sweeper

So, in 1970, RCM created the R500 which was an absolutely new concept in size and construction. The first R500 sweepers (one of which is still in perfect working order and is kept at the via Tiraboschi site) were delivered in 1971. In the same way as Fiat Topolino made the car widely popular in Italy in the forties and fifties, so on a different scale, but in a similar way, the compact new RCM powered sweeper made thousands of companies realise how useful mechanised cleaning could be. The R500 was produced until 1991, totalling over 50,000 units, and made a fundamental contribution to the creation of a previously non-existent market, and benefiting the whole industrial cleaning sector. Along with the small R500 there was development in the early seventies of two more extremely important models, and these, along with all other RCM powered sweepers from that moment on had rear hoppers.

1971 - R850

During this time RCM, cushioned by the success of the first pedestrian-controlled powered sweeper, was already aware of the need for larger machines which could meet the specific demands made by the ceramic tile industry which is common in this area. So the ‘eternal’ R850 came into being. This powerful sweeper features the greatest sturdiness, handing and is extremely economic.

1976 - R702

The growth of the Company has been steady. Now that RCM feels confident in offering a line of well-tested machines (R500, R701, R850), it is expanding out of its local area and into the European market, broadening its range of products even more. In 1976 RCM partecipates for the first time at the INTERCLEAN, the world-wide industrial cleaning exhibition in Amsterdam. The success of RCM sweepers on foreign markets drives the company to expand the range produced more and more, initially with R 702 the first 70 cm ride-on then with the larger R 900 and R 1250 models.

1981 - R581

From the beginning of the eighties, RCM appears on the market as a well-established European company. The creative spirit inherited from Romeo Raimondi is a constant feature in production. In 1981, at the first PULIRE Exhibition (a renowned Italian Exhibition in this sector) organised by AFIDAMP, RCM introduces the R581. After a decade of intense production of the R500 model and all the replicas which had invaded the market, RCM recognised the need to review its strategic section of the market. The introduction of revolutionary panel filters, mechanisation of the controls and an angled platform (wedge line) to increase the hopper capacity, marked a turning point in the appearance of pedestrian controlled machines. This highly valuable concept was the start of a revolution which lead to the Brava range, the star of the nineties. The R581, like the R500, once again set an example that competitors copied, even down to the colour.

1983 - Pavement sweeper RX 918

In 1983 with the RCM range already consisting of seven different models, with main brushes from 50 to 1250 cm wide, the Modenese company was already aiming at an ambitious project – the construction of a sweeper to clean pedestrian walkways. This was not to be an adaptation of an existing machine but an entirely new concept in design for urban working conditions. After three prototype designs the RX 918 Swinger was presented at the 1986 INTERCLEAN Exhibition and aroused much interest due to its innovative applied technology and revolutionary design.

1986 - R702 Synergy

Much ahead of time, in 1986, Synergy was launced, the first machine with hybrid petrol and battery power in the cleaning sector.

1990 - New RCM logo

RCM was even a protagonist in its sector during the 90’s, highlighting its innovative calling and strengthening its sales organisation. From the desire to focus all of its resources on this goal arose the need for a new and more modern corporate logo as well. Therefore, at the end of 1990, RCM came up with a important project aimed at renewing the product range. The new developments regarding all three categories of manufactured machinery were numerous and of significant strategic importance.

1990 - LB 530, LB 660, LB Mille - Scrubber Dryers

RCM start manufacturing its own line of walk behind Scrubber Dryers with a membrane tank and an advanced battery access system with opening compartments and a large ride-on machine range with a 280 litre capacity and a 100cm cleaning width, which was the start of successful career that would ensure its production well into the new millennium.

1991 - The Brava range

Directly descended from the original R500 and daughter of the R581, in 1991 the Brava revolutionised a sector of the market which was in its final stage due to competition devoid of technical substance. The idea was simple and sprang from a desire to apply to sweepers the basic industrial production concept of keeping costs low while maintaining quality standards. What sets the Brava apart from other sweepers is the so-called shell structure of the ABS hopper, a single component with a dual function, being a refuse container and a cover for the filter compartment. The simplification of the construction also made it much easier to produce industrially, for example by making the body section from formed sheets. However, the Brava project did not limit itself to one model, the same construction techniques were extended to the Brava 600, Brava 700 and Fyonda. The Brava 600 and Brava 700 were based on the Brava which allowed maximum use of common parts which differed only in size. The Fyonda, a new ride-on sweeper with manual dump, was also part of the Brava series with an entirely new tubular frame capable of holding the entire vacuum/brush unit of the Brava 700 model.

1994 - R703 sack

During the same period RCM introduced onto the market a unique sweeper that set a new standard in cleaning quality and dust control, the R703 SACK, the first and only machine that puts all the debris and dust swept up directly into a standard plastic sack, eliminating dust raised during the emptying of the hopper. An innovation that upgraded no only the sweepers level of cleaning but also helped the environment and protected the health of workers.

1997 - Boxer, Mille, Duemila

Between 1997 and 2000, RCM worked hard to create a complete new range of Sweeperswith hidraulic high dump, the BOXER, MILLE and DUEMILA models with a cleaning range between 85 to 120cm were designed to target larger indoor and outdoor areas.
The new RCM machines were presented for the first time at Issa Interclean 2000 and proved to be another example of how the combination of a good idea and strong willed manufacturing can lead to high quality products.
The legendary sturdiness and reliability are complimented with a contemporary and ergonomic design.”

2000 - Mark I, Mark II, Drive - new scrubber drier range

In the new millennium, RCM started a new development stage with a presentation at Issa Interclean 2000 of a completely new Scrubber Dryer range which was the result of great organisational and financial effort aimed at repositioning RCM at the height of market competitiveness. During 2001/2002, the scrubber dryer manufacturing process consolidated and developed, setting the stage for the final completion of the range.

2000 - Ronda - Street Sweepers

The experience gained in the urban sector with the Coro 140 City and the RX 918 lead to the creation of the RONDA (presented at ISSA Interclean 2000). The compact sweeper was designed for cleaning historic city centres by means of an exclusive, silent, anti-dust system which was able to retain the PM10.”

2003 - Jumbo, Go

New models were presented at Pulire 2003. Firstly, the INOX series of Scrubber Dryers for the food industry along with the Mark I (with roller brushes). The GO was then launched onto the market, this was a smaller scrubber with exceptional drying power and working time features. Last but not least, the ride-on JUMBO Scrubber Dryer was placed side by side with the powerful METRO.

2005 - Alfa

In 2005, RCM further renewed and extended their range of Sweepers. The ALFA, a small walk behind scrubber with two counter rotating roller brushes designed for both removing dirt and moving the machine forward (SMART TRACTION). A new innovation in the 50cm segment that has always seen RCM as the protagonist of the market.

2006 - Elan

In 2006, the ride-on Scrubber Dryer range was enriched with the introduction of the ELAN, an extremely compact sweeper that features an easily replaceable battery and driving controls at the steering wheel.

2010 - MEGA I - MEGA II

These machines marked the start of the machine renewal stage which started in 2000 and set the parameters for the development of future RCM Scrubber Dryers.

2010 - Combo

The only type of Scrubber Dryer missing from the RCM range was a “combined” version and in 2010 the Company decided to fill this gap with the COMBO. An extremely compact machine, it can sweep, wash and dry simultaneously. It is a high performance machine targeted for the larger usage market thanks to its efficiency and reliable features.

2014 - Tera

The Tera inherits sturdiness and reliability from the METRO and introduces innovations that makes it an advanced machine amongst the scrubber dryers for the following reasons: runnin gtime, variety of versions, stability and traction, drying, reliability and low maintenance. In addition, it is fitted with a system which enables it to be customized to suit varying types of environments and running time.

2014 - Macroclean M60

With the establishment of MACROCLEAN srl, RCM take a relevant step in repositioning itself on the World market of industrial and urban cleaning. With Macroclean M60, which was shown to the public at PULIRE OUTDOOR 2015, RCM became one of the top seven “full range” manufacturers of large machines with a complete range of industrial sweepers, scrubber dryers and street sweepers in the World.

2016 - Tera 3WD

Tera’s versions are enriched with all-wheel drive on all three wheels to withstand slopes and slippery floors in safety.

2017 - 50° anniversario

RCM celebrates 50 years in the professional cleaning machines business and organizes an event for the entire sales network at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.