Crux Agribotics has been acquired by VDL
July 2025 — Crux Agribotics, a Dutch AgTech innovator with a 40-year heritage in computer vision, robotics, software development and high-tech engineering, has been acquired by VDL Groep, an international industrial family business. Through the acquisition of Crux Agribotics, VDL Groep further strengthens its position in foodtech, one of the growth markets for this family-owned industrial company.
Founded in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Crux is a dedicated AgTech player focused on controlled environment agriculture (CEA) with smart robots using data and AI to classify, sort and pack fruit and vegetables. Its flagship product, the SortiPack® system, is a modular and scalable platform that is already delivering measurable ROI to growers by reducing labor dependency, improving operational efficiency and enhancing yield insights through real-time data analytics. The SortiPack® system integrates advanced computer vision, artificial intelligence and robotics to enable fully automated grading, sorting and packing of crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers and pointed peppers. Crux Agribotics has 60 employees.
VDL Groep is an international industrial family business with its headquarters in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The group employs around 14,000 people and operates in 20 countries. It consists of more than 100 specialist operating companies that work closely together. The activities of these companies can be summarized in the “five worlds of VDL”: hightech, mobility, energy, infratech and foodtech.
As part of VDL Groep, Crux Agribotics will be in a position to scale up faster internationally in the production, assembly and delivery of automated sorting and packaging lines. This will allow the company to further expand its market position into greenhouse-related robotization solutions.
Our role in the transaction
Oaklins’ team in the Netherlands acted as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Crux and its shareholders. The transaction highlights Oaklins’ longstanding expertise in the agriculture, robotics and automation sectors, reinforcing its strong track record in agricultural technology, as well as corporate carveouts.
Richard Vialle
Co-founder of Kind Technologies, the parent company of Crux Agribotics
Talk to the deal team
Koen Bodewes
Oaklins Netherlands
Related deals
Comtax has been acquired by Ryan
Comtax, a São Paulo-based tax technology consultancy specializing in tax determination and digital tax compliance, had been acquired by Ryan, the world’s largest firm dedicated exclusively to business taxes. The transaction marks Ryan’s entry into the Brazilian market, adding a specialized team and an established base of large corporate clients in Brazil, one of the world’s most complex tax environments, at a time when the country’s consumption tax reform is set to reshape how companies calculate and report indirect taxes. For Comtax, the acquisition brings access to Ryan’s global platform, technology and client network across more than 80 countries, creating opportunities to scale its tax determination and compliance offering beyond its current footprint. Comtax’s founders will continue to lead the business.
Learn moreNextalia has acquired a majority stake in Witapp
Nextalia SGR S.p.A. has acquired a majority stake in Witapp S.r.l., an Italian company specializing in software development for the digitization of healthcare infrastructure. The acquisition strengthens Nextalia’s track record in technology companies serving the public sector and supports its strategy of investing in businesses operating at the intersection of healthcare digitization and the modernization of public services.
Learn moreMoneybox’s employee share sale has set another milestone for London’s Private Securities Market
The London Stock Exchange’s Private Securities Market (PSM) continues to demonstrate its potential as a venue for providing shareholder liquidity in high-growth private companies. Following the successful employee share sale for autonomous driving pioneer Wayve earlier this month, fintech leader Moneybox has completed a US$61 million (£45 million) employee liquidity event through the PSM. By structuring the transaction as an employee liquidity event, long-serving employees with vested equity have been able to realize some of the value they helped create while enabling Moneybox to remain private and continue its growth journey. Crowdcube managed the employee seller and investor participation process.
Learn more