Press release
Gerritse IJzerwaren, Breur Ceintuurbaan and Van der Winkel form leading Dutch group of distributors in ironmongery and building hardware
Amsterdam, September 2011
Gerritse IJzerwaren, Breur Ceintuurbaan and Van der Winkel hereby jointly announce that they will join forces and will form a leading group of B2B distributors in ironmongery and building hardware products in The Netherlands. The three companies will be placed under one holding company, which in addition to current shareholders H2 Equity Partners and Kees Gerritse, will also include Hans Breur, majority shareholder of Breur Ceintuurbaan, and André Huizinga, managing director of Van der Winkel, as shareholders. H2 Equity Partners will remain controlling shareholder of the group.
Gerritse IJzerwaren, Breur Ceintuurbaan and Van der Winkel will maintain their own brand names in the market. For each of the three companies customer focus will continue to be the highest priority. Moreover, customers will benefit from the more extensive network of branches and the wider expertise within the group in various fields, such as first class support in the realization of large ironmongery hardware projects. The companies will collaborate mainly in the areas of procurement, logistics and support services such as IT and Finance. For employees, the growth of the company as a whole will provide interesting opportunities.
H2 Equity Partners and Kees Gerritse started their partnership a year ago to become the Dutch market leader in ironmongery and hardware distribution. Since then Gerritse IJzerwaren opened new branches in Ridderkerk, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Moreover, the company acquired two local hardware distributors in Hilversum and Veenendaal. With Breur Ceintuurbaan and Van der Winkel the new group will have a turnover of around 100 million euros with 35 branches. The group has strong ambitions for further growth, both by opening new branches and through potential new acquisitions.
Breur Ceintuurbaan will put its unique expertise as a total supplier of ironmongery products, electronic locking systems, doors and fittings to broader use within the group. Van der Winkel will focus on further growth in the south of The Netherlands. Gerritse IJzerwaren will continue its growth strategy in the center and the north of The Netherlands.
Kees Gerritse: "We are proud that Breur Ceintuurbaan and Van der Winkel are joining our group. Both are strong companies with leadership positions in their respective regions. Together we will form a powerful combination and we can offer our customers even better service. Customers will continue to enjoy the best service from each of the three companies."
Hans Breur: "Gerritse IJzerwaren, Breur Ceintuurbaan and Van der Winkel complement each other perfectly. The companies are similar in terms of business concepts, customer focus and corporate culture. All three we want to offer the best service to our customers. Breur Ceintuurbaan further adds its unique expertise and capacity in the implementation of complete hardware projects. Combined with the total branch network of this group this can be put to even wider use."
Andre Huizinga, managing director of Van der Winkel: “Van der Winkel will play an important role in the south of The Netherlands. With the support and knowledge from Gerritse IJzerwaren and Breur Ceintuurbaan we will open new branches in the region. Through this collaboration we will be able to serve our customers’ demands and wishes even better in the future. Of course, our customers will continue to get the excellent service they expect from us."
Harmen Geerts and Rutger Jan Vlek of H2 Equity Partners: "Our plan is to build the leading hardware distributor in The Netherlands. The strengthening of the group with Breur Ceintuurbaan and Van der Winkel is a key milestone. We are proud of the creation of this combination and look forward to the further cooperation with Gerritse IJzerwaren, Breur Ceintuurbaan and Van der Winkel in realizing our joint aspirations. "
About Gerritse IJzerwaren
Gerritse IJzerwaren BV is the leading distributor for ironmongery products, tools and fasteners in the center of The Netherlands. The company was founded in 1928. With 29 offices, a unique distribution center and an in-house MBO-3 employee education (Gerritse College), Gerritse focuses on the construction and installation sector. Customer service is central to the entire organization. Besides the 29 branches Gerritse also has an online branch (www.gerritse.nl). There are more than 18,000 articles presented in 13 product groups. Gerritse IJzerwaren undertakes sustainably and offsets the CO2 emissions of its consumption of gas, petrol, diesel and electricity. www.gerritse.nl
About Breur Ceintuurbaan
Breur Ceintuurbaan is a very modern wholesaler, with three branches, for construction and industry. Founded in 1915, the company has a leading position in the market and distinguishes itself by including a high quality, broad and deep assortment of over 20,000 items in hardware, tools, fasteners and other ironmongery products. Customers include many professional parties like main contractors, carpentry companies, housing associations, technical service departments and schools. Also Breur Ceintuurbaan is unique in its expertise as a total supplier of ironmongery products, electronic locking systems, doors and assembly. www.breur.com
About Van der Winkel
Van der Winkel is one of the largest companies in the south of The Netherlands in the field of hardware, tools, builders’ supplies and related items. The company started in 1965 with the sales of hardware from a house in Eindhoven. In 1972 the company moved to a new building where the wholesale operations for the construction and industry were started. Since then, Van der Winkel has grown into a company with 3 branches in Eindhoven and Helmond with a combined floor space of 15,000 square meters with a wide and deep range consisting of 20,000 items on stock in 14 product groups. Almost everything that is directly or indirectly related to construction and industry is available here. This vast range is also available 24 hours a day via our online shop. www.vdwinkel.nl
About H2 Equity Partners
H2 Equity Partners, founded in 1991, is an independent investment company with its headquarters in Amsterdam. H2 has approximately EUR 500 million of assets under management and invests in medium sized companies in the Benelux, Germany and the United Kingdom. H2 adds value to its portfolio companies by offering capital, operational support and experience. H2 has a strong track record in building stronger companies with sustainable, profitable growth. www.h2.nl