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HIG Capital sells KidsFoundation

An affiliate of private equity investment firm HIG Capital (HIG) has agreed to sell the KidsFoundation Group (KidsFoundation), a Dutch specialist in childcare services, to Onex Corporation (Onex).

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
 
Headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, KidsFoundation provides childcare to nearly 30,000 children between the ages of six weeks and 12 years. HIG created KidsFoundation in 2014 through the acquisition of assets from the estate of Estro Group. During its ownership, HIG has worked with KidsFoundation management to optimise the footprint of the company by exiting loss-making locations, introduce new IT systems to drive operational improvement and develop an internal M&A capability. HIG supported the company with capital to undertake a number of bolt-on acquisitions in the past year and to pursue a wider pipeline of inorganic growth opportunities. The business is now the largest provider of childcare in the Netherlands receiving strong advocacy ratings from staff and parents.
 
Carl Harring, Managing Director at HIG Capital, says: “The Dutch childcare market has returned to growth in recent years and is set to develop in a stable manner going forward. We have enjoyed working with the KidsFoundation team to build a market-leading business well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in the Netherlands and further afield. The business has a best-in-class product with management and staff working hard to deliver the highest quality of care. KidsFoundation has delivered an outstanding return for HIG and its investors; we look forward to observing the future development of the company.”
 
Jeanine Lemmens, Group CEO, KidsFoundation, says: “We would like to thank HIG for their financial and strategic support in the development of the KidsFoundation Group into the market-leading childcare provider in the Netherlands. It is a true example of what can be achieved when passion and know-how are bundled in the right way. We are excited to partner with Onex as we focus on further national and international expansion.”

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