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Agriculture | Private Equity

VGB has raised acquisition finance to obtain full ownership of Container Centralen

VGB has raised acquisition finance, provided by Rabobank, consisting of a term loan and an RCF.

Founded in 1977, Container Centralen purchases, finances, transports, repairs and manages a pooling system of standardized reusable transport items. The company consists of four business units: CC Horticulture, the horticultural pooling system in Europe, CC Retail, the fast-moving consumer goods pooling system in Europe, CC US, the horticultural pooling system in the USA, and Pool Service, the management of a pool of crates in Europe.

Prior to the deal, Container Centralen was owned by the Vereniging Van Groothandelaren In Bloemkwekerijproducten (VGB) and Danish private equity party Erhvervsinvest (EI) on a 50/50 basis. As the co-owners decided to split ways, a carve-out solution was structured through which VGB obtains full ownership of the business unit that covers the horticultural activities in Europe, and EI becomes the full owner of the other business units. The split of activities enables the separate businesses to benefit from a more tailored growth agenda that is fully backed by shareholders and management.

Oaklins’ team in the Netherlands acted as M&A and debt advisor for VGB, thereby responsible for the negotiations and arranging the financing facilities.

“The pleasant cooperation with Oaklins in many aspects of the transaction attributed to a successful outcome for VGB and its members. Throughout the process, we felt that Oaklins was determined to deliver the best result possible. We are looking forward to the next step with a focused growth agenda for the European horticulture activities of Container Centralen.”

Cees van der Meij

Chairman, Vereniging van Groothandelaren in Bloemkwekerijproducten

Talk to the deal team

Bas Stoetzer

Partner
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

Frank de Hek

Managing Partner
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

Robert Boersma

Partner
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

Casper Oude Essink

Director
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

Niels Vermuë

Associate Director
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oaklins Netherlands

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