Fortaleza Capital acted as exclusive corporate finance adviser to P. Van De Velde Group in the acquisition of Bergische Kartonagenfabrik Fritz Nießen

About Bergische Kartonagenfabrik Fritz Nießen: Bergische Kartonagenfabrik, established in 1931 by Fritz Nießen in Velbert (Germany), expanded over time from a small family-run business to a solid market player in the packaging industry with a strong reputation. Bergische Kartonagenfabrik operates state-of-the-art machinery and is specialised in the manufacture of cardboard products for both the food and non-food sector for its extensive customer base in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

With this acquisition, P. Van de Velde expands its folding carton activities, operating under the name Van De Velde Packaging, further in the German market.

About P. Van De Velde Group: P. Van De Velde Group is a family-owned business with a long-term growth strategy and an expansionary investment policy. Businesses within the group are led with considerable autonomy and leeway for local entrepreneurship while also benefiting from the support of centralised services.

Recently, P. Van De Velde Group acquired the Netherlands-based folding carton companies Wesly Printing & Packaging, based in Maastricht (the Netherlands) and Koninklijke Schut (Royal Schut), based in Eerbeek (the Netherlands). Combining these complimentary enterprises into one strong organisation offers the group new opportunities to embrace the pan-European market shift toward folding carton packaging.

Van De Velde Packaging is the folding carton department within P. Van De Velde Group and is active in Lichtervelde (Belgium), Kruishoutem (Belgium), Eerbeek (the Netherlands), Maastricht (the Netherlands) and Velbert (Germany). The folded carton packaging is mainly distributed throughout the food, drink and healthcare markets. In addition, P. Van De Velde produces solid carton packaging in its factory in Wetteren (Belgium) and in Poznan (Poland).

Bergische Kartonagenfabrik’s location will continue to operate in the current form and at the same address in Velbert (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany). The company’s current management team will remain responsible for daily business operations.

The press release can be found here (English) and here (German).