The Belgium tomato producer Stoffels is about to expand. This was made possible thanks to an investment from Invale and BNP Paribas Fortis. "By entering a into a long-term partnership we've attracted the necessary knowledge and means for a new expansion phase." Invale and BNP Paribas Fortis jointly became a minority shareholder in the company.
In order to realise further international growth and professionalization of the business, the company looked into various options in the past year. The company was looking for a partner for a long-term commitment, that has the financial means as well as the necessary M&A knowledge the company needed to become a player in the process of European consolidation. The company decided to opt for a partnership with two long-term investors.
Minority shareholder
Antwerp investment company Invale teamed up with BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity. On 12 January 2018, they jointly became a minority shareholder in the company. In doing so, Invale and BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity are supporting the future investment and expansion plans of the Kempish tomato producer and supplier of, for example, Colruyt, Carrefour, Albert Heijn, Makro and Metro.
Invale was retained as an investor due to the fund's long-term vision, affinity with the sector and active involvement in realising the growth plans of the businesses in which it has participated.
Bart Deckers, Investment Director, Invale: "We have a lot of admiration for the growth Stoffels has been able to achieve in recent years. The company is market leader in the specialty tomatoes segment and is a pioneer when it comes to innovation and new developments. We strongly believe in the future potential of the business and look forward to working with the Stoffels family in order to realise further growth for the company."
Relationship
The relationship between Stoffels and BNP Paribas Fortis dates back to 1994, when the bank, as the family's principle banker, supported the expansion of its activities. Thomas Ternest, Investment Director, BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity: "This investment perfectly illustrates our strategy of long-term partnerships with entrepreneurs as well as other investment companies."
Paul Stoffels: "The shared vision behind this decision will allow us to expand the company's activities and, in doing so, focus on the inevitable consolidation processes within the horticultural sector. The operational aspects will not change and the continuity to all our customers is guaranteed."
For more information:
Stoffels Group
info@stoffels-tomaten.be
www.stoffels-tomaten.be