New Schouten structure lifts management stake
business Acatris, has increased its share in the company under a
new shareholder structure designed to allow it to move more easily
on strategic developments, such as potential acquisitions.
Royal Schouten formerly had more than 40 different shareholders, including seven financial institutions and numerous minor shareholders made up of former employees and regional private equity players.
A group holding 25 per cent of the shares has now been bought out, while management has increased its stake to 20 per cent. The remainder is held by three private equity groups - Rabo Private Equity, NPM Capital and AlpInvest.
"With seven different institutions you have different backgrounds and objectives. It was too diverse," Bert Piest, CEO of Royal Schouten, told NutraIngredients.com.
"We want to strengthen several business lines in the portfolio and have clear commitment from our shareholders," he added.
Koen van Engelen, investment manager at Rabo, said: "It is a good sign that management is willing to invest."
Piest did not reveal further details on the company's future strategy but said the group "was always looking for good acquisitions".
The food ingredients business Acatris saw strong sales of its SoyLife soy isoflavones last year as well as good growth in the US. However avian influenza hit its Orffa feed additives unit and the soy trading unit Schouten Products.
Piest said that performance for the first five months this year is 'on budget'.
