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

January 2021 — 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.

Our role in the transaction

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