After a very short period of "constructive talks between the two family businesses," Van Aarle's management has decided to transfer 100% of its shares to the de Groot fresh group.
Marjon van Aarle: "It has been a very emotional decision for our family to hand over the nearly 60-year-old family business. But we know that this scaling up is essential for the continuity of the company. We are therefore very proud and happy with this step."
De Groot sold its international retail division to Edeka over a year ago. With the acquisition of Van Aarle, De Groot is following its new strategy and taking a first step toward achieving economies of scale in the fresh produce sector within the wholesale business. "That this first phase can now be realized with a pure Brabant family business with a 'similar culture' is, of course, a wonderful bonus."
Van Aarle sees De Groot as an ambitious, stable partner with whom the company can expand the "delivery formula" into food service, retail, and other domestic markets. De Groot's Breda location does not offer this service, so the two companies will retain their own identity and function. The Breda operation has been growing faster than the premises can accommodate for some time. Having the Schijndel facility helps greatly in optimizing operations. In principle, further cooperation will primarily focus on merging central services and achieving necessary efficiency in the fruit and vegetable chain.
Ben de Groot: "The availability of high-quality and tasty fruit and vegetables is no longer a given due to the sharply rising costs and increasing demands throughout the chain. Chain cooperation and scale are more important than ever for ensuring consumers can continue to enjoy delicious fruit and fresh vegetables every day." The final responsibility for the Van Aarle business will lie with Andries van den Bogert, who manages the companies within the De Groot fresh group. "I look forward to working with the wonderful team in Schijndel, which is ready for this partnership."
Van Aarle has been a Brabant family business since 1967, serving a wide range of customers across various sectors with an extensive and specialized fresh produce assortment. The company is based in Schijndel and employs over 140 people.
De Groot fresh group was founded in 1930 and has since grown into a leading international family-run fruit and vegetable company. Approximately 80 employees market, ripen and distribute a specialized assortment of fruit and vegetables through De Groot Fruit & Vegetables Breda, De Groot Fresh Transport Hedel, De Groot Fresh Group Kerkdriel, and De Groot Fresh Produce UK in Sevenoaks (UK).
For more information:
De Groot fresh group
[email protected]
www.degrootfreshgroup.com
