Fortaleza Capital acted as exclusive corporate finance adviser to the shareholders of VJD Folding Carton Packaging on the sale of the company to P. Van De Velde Group
About VJD: VJD Folding Carton Packaging (VJD), established in 1923 and originally a trading and advertising printing company, commenced in 2007 with developing and manufacturing custom-made folding carton packaging. With c. 40 employees and state-of-the-art machinery, VJD is specialised in the production of innovative folding carton packaging particularly for the food industry. The strengths of VJD are its flexibility and customer focus. The production process focuses on small and medium-sized runs with a high diversity and is ISO, BRC and FSC certified.
Peter Bil, one of the previous owners, in response to the sale of VJD to P. Van De Velde Group: “The experience and expertise within P. Van De Velde Group provide us with the opportunity to serve our customers even better. Our product ranges complement and reinforce each other perfectly. Further advantages of combining our businesses are economies of scale in purchasing as well as backup options in case of calamities. Joining P. van de Velde Group thus strengthens our market position and ensures our long-term continuity.”
With this acquisition, P. Van de Velde Group further expands its folding carton activities in the Northwest European market.
About P. Van De Velde Group: P. Van De Velde Group is an international, family-owned business group that focuses on the processing and development of carton and carton packaging of exceptional quality. The folded carton packaging, operating under the name Van De Velde Packaging, is mainly distributed throughout the food, drink and healthcare markets. The group has 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.
Through the assistance of Fortaleza Capital, P. Van De Velde Group has in recent years acquired – in addition to VJD – the Netherlands-based folding carton companies Veerkarton based in Assendelft, Vekopak based in Tilburg, Wesly Printing & Packaging based in Maastricht and Koninklijke Schut (Royal Schut) based in Eerbeek as well as the Germany-based folding carton company Fritz Nießen Bergische Kartonagenfabrik based in Velbert. 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 Group furthermore produces folded carton packaging in Lichtervelde (Belgium) and solid carton packaging in its factory in Wetteren (Belgium) and in Poznan (Poland). The group realises an annual turnover of c. €140 million with around 700 employees.
VJD’s location will continue to operate in the current form and at the same address in Joure, the Netherlands. The company’s current management team, consisting of Jan-Eric Siemonsma, Marc Draaisma en Peter Bil, will remain responsible for daily business operations.