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.
Cees van der Meij
Chairman, Vereniging van Groothandelaren in Bloemkwekerijproducten
Talk to the deal team
Related deals
KPS Food Group has joined ForFarmers Polska, a joint venture controlled by ForFarmers N.V.
ForFarmers N.V. has strengthened its position in Poland’s growing poultry market through the establishment of a joint venture with KPS Food Group, a leading poultry producer with operations spanning farming, slaughtering and food processing. ForFarmers’ existing Polish joint venture, Tasomix, and KPS’s operations have been combined to form ForFarmers Polska, which has an enterprise value of approximately US$585 million. ForFarmers holds a controlling 50.5% stake and will fully consolidate the joint venture. The founders of KPS and Tasomix remain minority shareholders.
Learn moreCibus has acquired Aweta from Standard Investment
Standard Investment has reached an agreement with Cibus Capital, advisor to the Cibus funds, on the sale of Aweta, a global leader in fruit and vegetable sorting, grading and packing equipment. Completion of the transaction is expected in the coming weeks. The transaction provides Aweta with a strong partner to support the company’s next growth phase. Under Cibus’ ownership, Aweta will pursue further international growth and accelerate investment in R&D, supporting the installed base and product innovation, including software and AI capabilities. Aweta’s leadership team will continue to lead the business.
Learn moreComtax 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 more