As an investment company, we make our capital, extensive network and knowledge available to enterprising and ambitious companies. Together with entrepreneurs and management teams, we invest in companies and help them achieve their growth ambitions.
We are passionate about our work and extremely involved as shareholders in companies in which we invest and participate. Together we want to get the best out of people and companies. To this end, we make every effort together.
We invest in companies and real estate in the Benelux and the DACH region. Our team works from our offices in the Netherlands ('s-Hertogenbosch) and Austria (Kitzbühel). Our team, consists of Austrians and Dutch with complementary backgrounds. The companies in which we invest can therefore operate internationally as well as regionally. Through our extensive network, buy-and-build can therefore take place all over the Benelux and DACH region.
What binds all our investments is enabling growth. That's what we're all about. This growth was often not possible within the initial situation. Together with management, we exploit the (hidden) potential of these companies. This is how we reach their full potential. In the following situations Apicem can be of significance for you:
-with (family) companies dealing with succession;
-when shareholders are redeployed, whereby the management team remains involved in order to develop the company independently;
-when privatizing non-core activities from a larger concern.
All the situations mentioned above are also called (management) buyouts. We as Apicem invest in such situations with an average transaction value between 3 and 15 million.
We as Apicem invest sector wide in solid, profitable companies run by motivated management teams. We work closely with this management and enable members to become co-owners of the company. At least as important to us is the click between the management team and the people of Apicem, as well as shared vision on strategy. Other characteristics of companies in which we invest are:
- A strong position within a (niche) market;
- A proven track record;- Ample growth opportunities, autonomously or through acquisition;
- An operating result of at least 1.5 to 2 million;- Enterprise value between 5 and 30 million.
We are happy to listen to your ambitions and ideas.If you wish to discuss these in confidence, we invite you to contact us.
Each investment is unique, but our approach is consistent. In all of our investments, we work very closely with the management team, which provides day-to-day management.
An important starting point for all our investments is a joint strategy. We shape this together with management. We then translate the strategy into a multi-year planning with concrete actions, which forms the basis for our cooperation. Our experience shows that this leads to fast and efficient decision-making. Operational responsibility always lies with the management, which can therefore act decisively and flexibly. Meanwhile, we act as a sounding board and sparring partner. Together we define a clear division of roles and strive for corporate governance in which decisions can be taken quickly and entrepreneurship is central.
Management is always given the opportunity to acquire a significant equity stake and become a co-owner. This creates an open, honest partnership based on common interests and mutual trust. Together we want to achieve goals and exploit potential. That is what we go for!
Sale and purchase transactions are often intense and require a lot from all involved. With our extensive experience, we do everything possible to bring out the change in the shareholder structure efficiently. In doing so, we naturally take into account the interests and ambitions of all involved.
We are a committed and reliable team, in good and challenging times: we do business together.
We have no fixed horizon and invest for the long term. Our goal is to achieve sustainable growth together. For this we take our time. Our experience is that the next step for the company will present itself at a natural moment. We discuss this openly with each other. Together we look for a suitable, future-proof shareholder structure within which the company can develop further.
Yes. Because every investment situation is unique, we always start with a white sheet of paper. We set up an appropriate shareholder structure that brings together the interests of all involved, the financial space needed, knowledge and experience. In addition to management, there may be founders or family shareholders involved, or an industry expert who adds value. Here, too, it's all about partnership.
Apicem also holds a small number of minority interests (along with united co-shareholders). In almost every investment situation, however, the additional amounts are of such magnitude that Apicem, as a capital-powered growth partner, contributes the majority of the funds.
We use a prudent combination of equity and debt financing. In addition to a large equity contribution, part of the purchase price is usually financed with a bank loan. This is always done in a way that does justice to the company and our shared growth ambitions - and thus gives room for enterprise. Strategy determines the debt ratio, not the other way around! After all, we are all about achieving successful growth.
We provide venture capital, but don't think from a spreadsheet. We want to do business together and grow together and are not looking for an annual cash dividend. Instead, we choose to invest this in the company - and thus its continued growth. In our experience, healthy returns then follow naturally.
Apicem's partners own and co-invest in new holdings themselves. We also attract long-term capital at the fund level from family capital and institutional investors. This is used to make the investments in the portfolio companies.
A buyout is a transaction in which the shares of a company change hands. All or part of the existing shareholder or shareholders are bought out. A situation involving an investment company like Apicem in which management becomes a co-shareholder is usually called a management buyout. The management and Apicem jointly purchase the company and start working together for successful growth.
This is certainly possible. Doing business together and working together also means investing venture capital together, but always according to financial capacity. Every investment situation is customized for us. We structure the buyout so that the management team can acquire a substantial equity stake in the company.
Since our founding, we have been focused on the sustainable profitability of the companies in which we invest. We believe that all interests - including those of employees, customers, society and the environment - must be taken into account. We have described our principles in the Apicem Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Policy.
Together with the management teams we work with, we are very consciously and actively engaged in the implementation and compliance and of a good ESG policy. As far as we are concerned, this is an integral part of doing good business.
An active ESG policy allows us to manage risks and take advantage of opportunities. We therefore look at the following points, among others, in due diligence and in the management phase:
- Environmental (Environment) Energy efficiency, waste, pollution, raw material procurement from renewable sources;
- Social (Employees and Society) - employee safety, compliance with legislation and permits;
- Governance (Governance and Transparency) - works councils and unions, prevention of bribery and corruption.
Employees make the difference. Therefore, we attach great importance to a strong relationship with the works council as a representation of these employees. The daily and primary point of contact for the works council is the management. It is customary for Apicem and, if applicable, the supervisory board to update with the works council once or twice a year.
Please feel free to contact any of Apicem's partners. Contacts are always discreet and confidential. We are committed to that.
