Fortaleza Capital exclusive corporate finance adviser to OptiGroup on the acquisition of Koemans Verpakkingen

About Koemans Verpakkingen: Koemans Verpakkingen, established in 1926 and a family-owned company ever since, is a packaging specialist offering a wide range of industrial packaging products and services. The company’s main values are professional advice, intensive co-operation with its customers, a complete product range, absolute top quality, competitive prices and free deliveries. As a result, Koemans Verpakkingen has successfully grown into an industry leader in the Dutch market for industrial packaging, with a turnover of €28 million in 2020.

The broad range of industrial packaging products includes polyethylene (PE) products (wrap foil, bags, sheets, covers, etc.), cardboard/paper products (boxes, sheets, edge protectors, etc.), tape and protective/filling materials (paper, air cushion sheets, etc.).

Frank Koemans, Managing Director and previous co-owner of Koemans Verpakkingen commented: “Koemans Verpakkingen has been our family business for many years and it has been very important for us to find the right long-term home for it. With OptiGroup we share both values and business philosophy and we truly look forward to continue developing the company with the resources and support from OptiGroup.”

Koemans Verpakkingen will continue to be led by Frank Koemans as Managing Director together with his brother John Koemans. The company will become part of OptiGroup’s Packaging business area and will continue to operate under its current brand.

The acquisition of 100% of the shares of Koemans Verpakkingen marks OptiGroup’s ninth addition since 2019 and its second in the Netherlands, continues the company´s European expansion, and further strengthens its strategic position in supply solutions for wrapping and packaging products to customers in the transport sector, e-commerce companies, food- and manufacturing industry.

“Following the acquisition of Moonen Packaging in 2018, we are today very pleased to continue our strategy of expansion in continental Europe with a second investment on the Dutch market. By welcoming Koemans Verpakkingen to OptiGroup we take another step towards being a leading player in selected markets and segments in Europe. We believe that by creating a stronger position we can serve our customers better, expand our distribution network and generate improved financial returns.” Sören Gaardboe, President and CEO of OptiGroup.

“With the addition of Koemans Verpakkingen, we bring a stronger offering to our customers in the Netherlands. I really look forward to working closely with Frank Koemans and his team to further develop our business.” Jesper Hall, Senior Vice President Packaging at OptiGroup.

About OptiGroup: OptiGroup is a leading European distribution Group offering customised supply solutions to B2B customers. The company acquires and develops companies specialising in providing customers with products and services that enhance efficiency and contribute to a more successful business. Through active and long-term ownership, OptiGroup contributes with industry expertise and synergies between its subsidiaries.

The companies within the Group’s three business areas – Facility, Safety & Foodservice, Packaging and Paper & Business Supplies – provide reliable and sustainable supply solutions to customers primarily within cleaning & facility management, hotel & restaurant, healthcare, manufacturing industry and the graphical sector.

OptiGroup’s geographical presence encompasses Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.

In 2020, OptiGroup had net sales of €949 million and 1.540 employees. The company is majority-owned by Altor Fund II, Triton II Fund and RoosGruppen AB.

Jens Jakob Zahle, Senior Vice President – M&A at OptiGroup, in response to Fortaleza Capital’s role as exclusive corporate finance adviser to OptiGroup on the acquisition of Koemans Verpakkingen: “Fortaleza Capital has in a very professional way assisted OptiGroup in our expansion plans in the Benelux leading to the acquisition of Koemans Verpakkingen. We are looking forward to continuing the journey with the assistance of the Fortaleza Capital team in the Benelux”.