The Kempen European Private Equity Fund has acquired a significant direct interest in Wilvo Group a family business in the province of Brabant in the Netherlands that specialises in the processing of thin sheet metal and precision parts assembly.
Wilvo Group employs 230 people and has an annual turnover of approximately EUR50 million.
The participation of the Kempen European Private Equity Fund is a co-investment with the German investment company Steadfast Capital. The investors have backed the management buy-out by the Wilvo management team, who, as new co-owners, are highly motivated to drive further growth for Wilvo Group, both organically and through targeted acquisitions. In addition, former director and major shareholder Louis Vosters will retain a stake in the company.
Sven Smeets, Cohead, and Bram Bikker, Director of the Kempen Private Markets team, says: ‘The Kempen European Private Equity Fund focuses on investments in stable, small and medium-sized businesses that lead the market in their own specific niche. Wilvo Group is a prime example of a great family business with a long history and an impressive client base. It matches our focus. We have every confidence in the management team’s ability to build on the success of the company. We, therefore, take pride in the fact that the investors in our fund, the clients of Van Lanschot Kempen, will have access to such a magnificent company.’
Rob Lemmens, Commercial Director of Wilvo Group, says: ‘With Kempen and Steadfast Capital, we have two professional investment partners on board who can help us to achieve our growth objectives. The Kempen Private Markets team supports professional business practice. We look forward to a successful partnership.’
