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Belgian family holding company Heylen Group is to invest in Van den Bos Flowerbulbs, in consultation with the management team led by Robert Piek.
The Dutch company, previously owned by Foreman Capital, has been in business for 75 years and specialises in the packaging, storage and worldwide distribution of flower bulbs. The acquisition by Heylen Group fits perfectly with the holding company’s investment philosophy: “Van den Bos Flowerbulbs started out as a family business and has seen strong international expansion. Together with the existing management team, Heylen Group is joining forces to keep building an international company with a family character,” says Seppe Onsea, Partner and Group Director M&A at Heylen Group.
Van den Bos Flowerbulbs was founded in Maasdijk in 1946 by Jo Van den Bos and has grown into a global reference in the flower bulb sector. The Dutch company, with its own branches in the United States, Canada, China and Australia, specialises in the storage, preparation and export of lily bulbs and freesia and calla tubers.
Van den Bos Flowerbulbs also has its own production site in Chile and is the exclusive worldwide distributor of the unique Roselily lily variety. The key to its success? Innovation. Thanks to its decisiveness, drive to innovate and entrepreneurial courage, the Dutch company has secured a strong position in the processing, storage and distribution segments of the value chain.
The purchase of Van den Bos Flowerbulbs fits perfectly with the diverse nature of Heylen Group’s holdings. The family holding company is already active in various parts of the agricultural value chain and will also be able to provide support through its various partner companies.
Heylen Group firmly believes that a family character is key to safeguarding Van den Bos Flowerbulbs’ success in the long term, a vision that Robert Piek fully supports. “Van den Bos Flowerbulbs started out as a family business 75 years ago. After 5 years with Foreman Capital, I consider Heylen Group’s long-term commitment very important. After all, success in the flower bulb sector takes vision and staying power. By investing in our range, quality and service to our international customers, I want to work with Heylen Group to focus fully on our core business,” says Robert Piek, who joined as CEO in 2020.
“Robert is not only an exceptionally driven CEO, he also fits the no-nonsense approach that characterises Heylen Group,” adds Seppe Onsea. “Together, we are figuratively pulling on our boots and focusing fully on the activities that made the company great: the packaging, processing and export of flower bulbs.”
The flower bulb sector offers plenty of opportunities. The lily, for instance, is a flower with strong cultural ties and meaning. “In China and Latin America, for example, the lily has strong symbolic value, a cultural heritage that still drives the flower’s commercial success today,” explains Seppe Onsea. Van den Bos Flowerbulbs is the exclusive distributor of Roselily, a variety that is scentless and contains no pollen, so it no longer leaves unsightly stains.
However, the sector also faces challenges. Flower bulbs are highly dependent on nature. “So you can’t simply decide to launch some additional production. But it’s precisely those challenges that make the Van den Bos Flowerbulbs story so interesting,” concludes Robert Piek.
Heylen Group is a Belgian industrial holding company that invests in ambitious companies and entrepreneurs. The group follows a ‘buy-build-and-hold’ strategy centred on innovation, internationalisation and operational excellence. Heylen Group was founded 22 years ago by a born entrepreneur, Wim Heylen. Thanks to a clear vision, a resilient business model and a highly motivated team, Heylen Group has grown into a holding company of 38 businesses.
Foreman Capital is an entrepreneurial investment company focused on growing, profitable small and medium-sized businesses active in trade, services, manufacturing and e-commerce. From its offices in Amsterdam and Copenhagen, the Foreman team has been supporting entrepreneurs, executives and family businesses for 25 years in realising their growth ambitions and further professionalising their companies.
