Gilles Vanderstuyft

The Brussels-based strategic communications agency FINN, founded in 2006 by Raf Weverbergh and Kristien Vermoesen, has joined the Dutch network Only Creative Entrepreneurs. FINN is known for its ability to translate complex societal topics such as sustainability and regulation into clear and effective communication. The agency currently employs around forty strategists and creatives. With this acquisition, Only strengthens its presence in Belgium and expands its network to sixteen teams across twenty locations in the Benelux. VDP acted as exclusive advisor to the sellers.

Transaction: Bureau De Fonseca joins Studibo to further strengthen Studibo’s services with acoustic studies and consolidate its market position in Belgium. VDP acted as exclusive advisor to Bureau De Fonseca. Bureau De Fonseca: Bureau De Fonseca is a leading engineering firm in the field of acoustics, with a special focus on building acoustics, environmental noise and vibration. A team of 12 engineers provides support for housing projects, schools, public buildings and offices. For more information, see www.defonseca.be Studibo: Studibo was founded in 2023 as part of a merger initiative between five engineering firms, with the aim of becoming a complete partner in industrial, construction and infrastructure projects. With the acquisition of Bureau De Fonseca, the group positions itself with acoustic studies in a field in which it was not yet active. Studibo is backed by strategic investment company Tilleghem. For more information, see www.studibo.be and www.tilleghem.com

Transactie: Indufin is to acquire a stake in Penne alongside BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity with the ambition to help realise the company’s strong growth plans. As a vote of confidence in the company’s future, the Penne family will further strengthen its position by increasing its stake in the company. The transaction is yet to be approved by the Belgian competition authorities. Penne: Penne is a leading supplier of solutions in the field of complex metal and plastic components. Its customers include international first-tier suppliers to the automotive and HVAC industries. Among other things, Penne produces wiper systems for cars and propellers for air conditioners. In addition to being a global player, Penne is above all a family company with strong local roots. Based in Aalst, Belgium and led by the third generation, the company has always strived to keep production in its own country. Thanks to extensive automation and innovation, the company manages to be competitive with the manufacturing industry abroad, both in terms of quality and price. This strategy is now paying off, partly thanks to increasing demand for shorter supply chains and reshoring. Penne realised a turnover of 36 million euros in 2022.

Schelstraete Delacourt is active in executive search for C-level profiles, advice to boards of directors, and assessments. The company takes a personal approach, which enables it to gain insight into the specific needs of its clients and offer efficient solutions. The company has offices in Brussels, Ghent, Amsterdam and Luxembourg, with 35% of its turnover coming from pan-European assignments. In addition to the strong organic growth that Schelstraete Delacourt has been able to achieve since its foundation in 1990, the group has sought external reinforcements in order to further drive its growth ambitions. This strategy brought the Belgian investor KeBeK Private Equity on board in 2021, with a view to developing new services, attracting new partners and strengthening the group’s position in Europe. Minds&More is a fast-growing player in the areas of interim recruitment and project management in the areas of Marketing, Sales & Transformation. With an extensive team of more than 200 experts, it serves clients in a wide range of sectors. Both companies focus on setting up excellent leadership teams that help clients realise their strategic objectives. With this transaction, the group has reinforced its position on the market; with 60 staff members, and offices and Ghent, Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Zaventem, the group has generated a turnover of €30m.

Transaction: Fruitsnacks, a well-known supplier of fresh fruit at offices, has acquired the client base of Menssana in the Brussels area. Menssana wants to mainly focus on the distribution of fruit processing equipment.VDP advised Menssana’s shareholders. Fruitsnacks Karel Paesmans started in 2006, from his fruitfarm in Nieuwerkerken (Belgium), with distributing fruit baskets to companies. A true success story, as each year a growth by at least 10% was realised. Today, Fruitsnacks delivers fresh fruit at work to more than 2700 companies. For more information, see: www.fruitsnacks.be/nl