Arvesta, the full-service partner of farmers and horticulturists, continues to focus on international growth; the organization is expanding its expertise in agriculture and horticulture with the full acquisition of Benfried, a global supplier for horticulture based in Den Hoorn, South Holland.
Benfried was founded as a family business in 1946 and has since grown into a professional supplier of a wide range of plant protection products, fertilizers and garden equipment to the international horticultural sector. In addition, Benfried also develops, produces and sells sustainable rockwool products under its own label, “Multigrow”.
International growth
This acquisition is fully aligned with the strategy of both companies to grow internationally. Arvesta already occupies a position within the greenhouse horticulture sector with its strong brands: Sanac, Hortiplan and Alliance (the Netherlands). The strong brand Van der Hoeven (the Netherlands) was added in 2020. Niek Depoorter, Business Unit Director Agri & Horti, Arvesta: “We are very excited about this new partnership with Benfried. Our teams can work together and exchange the expert knowledge contained within both companies to achieve synergies. This will mean we can tackle the challenges within the sector together and launch sustainable innovations in greenhouse horticulture on the international stage.”
Petto and Fried Koop, respectively Financial Director and Commercial Director, are both well into their sixties so it was important to think about the future; the search for the right partner lasted more than a year. Preserving continuity, identity and employment played a major role in the choice. “This acquisition prepares Benfried for the next 75 years,” says Petto Koop. “We see customers growing and becoming more complex, and this step is fully aligned with Benfried’s growth ambitions”. “We want to grow and remain innovative, and for this you need a certain size,” adds Fried Koop.
Virtually nothing changes for the customers. Petto Koop: “The current way of conducting business remains virtually unchanged, and the growers we supply internationally will continue to be supplied in the same way. With our help, we want growers to get more returns from their square meters of greenhouses every day. That’s what we do it for.”
Niek Depoorter: “Our customers will also benefit from this acquisition. We will continue to guarantee excellent service in the Netherlands and internationally, while the synergy with Arvesta will offer even more opportunities for sustainable and innovative solutions.” The final closing of this acquisition is subject to the approval of the Dutch competition authorities.
For more information:
Benfried International BV
Hooipolderweg 1
2635 CZ Den Hoorn
+ 31 (0) 15 2622738
[email protected]
www.benfried.com
Arvesta
Philipssite 5, bus 3
3001 Leuven
Belgium
[email protected]
www.arvesta.eu
