Oaklins exclusive M&A advisor to the shareholders of Gardendreams

Oaklins served as exclusive M&A advisor to veranda producer Gardendreams, in its sale to Outdoor Living Group ('OLG'). Gardendreams is a manufacturer of aluminium verandas, garden rooms, carports, fences and glass sliding systems. OLG is a portfolio company of Dutch private equity firm AAC Capital which owns veranda manufacturer Verasol.

Gardendreams will operate as an independent business unit, alongside to Verasol, under OLG.

In 2018 Gardendreams realized EUR 17 million in sales and employed around 70 employees. Its headquarters and production facilities are based in Emsbüren, Germany. Custom-fit finished products are delivered through a strong and diverse dealer network, primarily in Germany and the Netherlands. The transaction team consisted of Gerbrand ter Brugge, Martijn de Win and Robbert Bon.

We are very happy to have chosen Oaklins as our corporate finance advisor during the sale of Gardendreams to AAC Capital. We had a perfect click with Gerbrand and his team. Their pleasant and no-nonsense approach enabled us to realize a highly satisfactory outcome for all stakeholders of Gardendreams. MANFRED SPECKEN – DIRECTOR AND FOUNDING SHAREHOLDER OF GARDENDREAMS

With the addition of Gardendreams, the new business combination is solidly positioned to build and strengthen its market position in the growing and value-added segment of European lifestyle and home-improvement. The combination of Gardendreams and Verasol brings together two qualitative and innovative product portfolios and creates a leading European platform. With multiple production facilities and serving a complementary customer base, the new group will be able to capitalize on its scale and further expand in the European marketplace by presenting a comprehensive offering to dealers, DIY chains and specialized stores. Joost Quispel, Director and Founding Shareholder of Gardendreams commented on the transaction: “We sincerely appreciate Oaklins’ dedication and perseverance from start to finish which resulted in a great deal for Gardendreams, its shareholders and employees. We would definitely recommend Oaklins in any future corporate finance advisory role.”

Gardendreams veranda

With this acquisition, OLG expands its turnover to over EUR 50 million and becomes the largest manufacturer of residential verandas, garden rooms, glass sliding systems, and carports in Germany and the Netherlands. With both Verasol and Gardendreams and a strong market position in Germany and the Netherlands, AAC and OLG look forward to accelerating the European growth strategy by leveraging the know-how, market coverage, synergies and scale that the two combined businesses will bring.