Kees Smit Tuinmeubelen has been acquired by Craft Capital

May 2024 — Kees Smit Tuinmeubelen, a leading family-owned omnichannel retailer of garden furniture and related accessories, has agreed to sell a majority stake to Craft Capital, a Netherlands-based investment firm.

Founded in 1942, Kees Smit Tuinmeubelen is a family-owned omnichannel retailer of garden furniture and related accessories with a market leading position in Europe. With over 80 years of experience, the company offers a vast selection of garden furniture and accessories in the medium- to high-end segment, featuring a range of its own brands as well as third-party brands. Kees Smit Tuinmeubelen currently operates three XXL Experience Stores, each with approximartely 8,000 m2 retail space, located in Almelo, Amersfoort and Venlo, Netherlands, along with a complementary webshop.

In recent years, Kees Smit Tuinmeubelen has experienced strong growth, solidifying its market-leading position in the European garden furniture segment. Additionally, the company has identified many opportunities to grow further in both existing and new markets, as well as in further optimizing its product assortment and customer experience for the coming years. As a result, the shareholders decided to sell a majority stake to a partner that can support the company in its next phase of growth. By partnering with Craft Capital, Kees Smit Tuinmeubelen will be able to continue and accelerate its growth trajectory.

Craft Capital, founded in 2021, is the Netherlands-based investment firm of the Roerink family that invests in family businesses in the Netherlands alongside management teams. Craft Capital is actively involved in its investments, adding value in areas such as professionalization, governance and branding.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins’ team in the Netherlands acted as the exclusive M&A sell-side advisor to the shareholders of Kees Smit Tuinmeubelen. This transaction emphasizes our strong track record and expertise in the consumer and retail sector.