Torqx Capital Partners acquires majority of the shares of VHE Industrial automation
Torqx Capital Partners (“Torqx”) intends to acquire the majority of the shares of VHE Industrial automation (“VHE”) in partnership with current shareholders Joop Essing (CEO) and Marc van Happen (CTO/COO). Both Joop and Marc will continue their roles within VHE and their partial ownership of VHE. Torqx will support VHE to further strengthen its leading position in the Semicon/High-tech and Smart Energy markets.
The transaction is expected to be closed early July.
Joop Essing, CEO of VHE: “VHE was founded 63 years ago and has grown into a reliable and innovative partner for drive technology issues such as servo/motion and industrial automation projects. In 2016, the Van Hout family stepped back and Greendelta Corporate Investments (“Greendelta”) came on board as majority shareholder; that was the moment when I got in myself as well. Over the past five years, together with Greendelta, we have more than doubled the business, entered the Smart Energy market, added LEAN production and opened a second location. We are now on the eve of further growth. In Torqx we have found the ideal partner to support us in this new phase: the Torqx team knows the technology industry very well, has extensive experience with buy & build and their way of working matches perfectly with our core values Together, Fast & Flexible and Deliver on your promise. I am proud that Torqx has chosen VHE and, together with the VHE team, I am ready to implement our new strategy together with Torqx.”
Jos Moling, Partner of Greendelta: “Over the past five years, VHE has experienced enormous organic growth under the leadership of Joop and Marc. The company has professionalized and is firmly established in the market with a broad range of services. Now the time has come for further growth through, among other things, a well-considered buy & build strategy, we are happy to hand over the baton to Torqx, who can actively support this growth.”
Rik Leunissen, Investment Director at Torqx Capital Partners: “We are impressed by VHE’s growth in recent years and the solid market position the company has built up. We are convinced that VHE will benefit from its strong technical capabilities and track record in its fast-growing end markets in the coming years. We are happy to use our expertise and experience in realizing accelerated, profitable growth to further facilitate VHE’s impressive growth path. We are very excited about our collaboration with Joop and Marc and the wider VHE team and look forward to supporting the company in the next phase of its development.”
About VHE
VHE has more than 60 years of experience as a partner in industrial automation for leading, innovative OEMs in high-tech markets and helps them develop and industrialize these products. VHE develops, manufactures and maintains complex industrial automation and control systems for high mix and low volume markets. With the disciplines of system architecture, hardware and software engineering, servo/motion, panel construction and cable assembly, the lowest TCO is achieved in the shortest time.
VHE is located in Eindhoven and Veldhoven (the Netherlands) and active in various market segments in mechanical engineering (such as Semicon, High-Tech, Food and Agro) and in Smart Energy (such as e-mobility, solar and energy storage). For more information please visit: www.vhe.nl.
About Torqx Capital Partners
Torqx Capital Partners is a Benelux-based private equity company that invests in medium-sized companies with potential to accelerate. Situations include growth-, buy-and-build- and transformational investments across a range of industries including manufacturing, distribution and services. Torqx acquires majority positions based on a partnership with co-shareholders and management teams, offering the companies smart capital, network, expertise and talent to support implementation of their plans and achieve their full potential. The Torqx team consists of 15 highly experienced and skilled professionals who look beyond spreadsheets and understand what it takes to build businesses and increase momentum. Torqx is backed by reputable international institutional investors and the Torqx team itself.
For more information, please visit: www.torqxcapital.com.
