Berk Partners focuses supports entrepreneurs in accelerating growth and generating business value from companies.
We have been investing for 25 years in successful, well-run, (family) companies with headquarters in the Netherlands, with a turnover of € 5- € 75 million and who are active in the food and manufacturing industry or as a supplier to healthcare.
Berk Partners is independent and strives for active support from entrepreneurs and management teams to realize their (international) growth ambitions at an accelerated pace. Berk Partners has invested in more than 40 companies over the years.
Berk Partners’ experienced and entrepreneurial investment team assists participating interests in the financial, strategic and operational areas. In close consultation with the management of the company a strategic direction is determined and Berk Partners helps to implement this if desired.
Sustainability is a top priority at Berk Partners, which is why we have signed the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN-PRI) and we act in accordance with these six principles.
Berk Partners underlines the importance of supporting a strong investment market. Therefore, we are a member of the Nederlandse Vereniging van Participatiemaatschappijen (NVP).
Berk Partners is registered with the Dutch regulator, the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).
Berk Partners participates in small and medium-sized companies with long-term growth potential.
Berk Partners is constantly looking for companies that are well positioned in (niche) markets, industries and sectors with a long-term growth potential. Themes with special attention are: aging, trends in nutrition and innovation.
A strategic growth plan is drawn up for each investment in close consultation with the company’s management, which forms the basis for further long-term cooperation. We see strong and participatory management as crucial for the success of a joint investment. Berk Partners inspires, stimulates and supports management.
Berk Partners invests in majorities and minorities (under specific conditions). In addition, we mainly facilitate growth capital, buy-outs and pre-exits and we support, among other things, improvements within the organization, acquisitions and buy-and-build strategies.
Prior to an investment, it is jointly identified what opportunities there are to create value. The aim is for the company to become larger and stronger after the investment period (3-6 years) due to sustainable growth. Together with the entrepreneur or the management team, a new owner is then sought to continue the deployed growth.
Berk Partners applies the following strict investment criteria and -situations.
Berk Partners gives private individuals and Dutch and international, professional and institutional investors the opportunity to participate in healthy, well-run small and medium-sized businesses.
Berk Partners has a strong track record in and knowledge of various sectors. Sectors where we have gained experience in the past have our specific interest. Berk Partners has a preference for suppliers to healthcare, the food industry and the innovative manufacturing industry.
Investing succesfully is only possible with the right people and with a passion for results. Our team consists of experienced investors, all professionals with extensive experience as entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized companies.
The Berk Partners team is fully attuned to each other and together has more than 100 years of financial, banking and private equity experience or as an entrepreneur. Together they have a powerful mix of entrepreneurship, knowledge about mergers and acquisitions, strategic advice, business financing and operational skills. Entrepreneurship is in Berk’s DNA, which is why we invest in it ourselves.
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The Berk Partners investment team is assisted in terms of content, legally and procedurally by advisers with a long track record as entrepreneurs, in private equity or as directors or who provide valuable market knowledge or contacts in another way.
The advisers are actively involved in the investment process. They can offer assistance with the identification and analysis of investment opportunities. Our investment professionals also have access to an extensive network of experts through these advisers.
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Berk Partners invests in companies in various sectors and has no specific sector focus. Berk Partners does, however, have a specific knowledge of and preference for a few sectors: innovative manufacturing industry, the food industry and healthcare supply.
Berk Partners has a proven track record in creating value for small and medium-sized businesses. Berk Partners has participated in more than 40 companies over the past 25 years.
Below you find a selection of the companies in which Berk Partners has had an interest.
Berk Partners believes it has the task to make a positive contribution to its environment, the community and the environment. Not only from the perspective of social responsibility, but also from the conviction that in this way the most value can be created for its participations and shareholders. Both before and after an investment, corporate policy in the field of the environment, society and corporate governance (environmental, social and governance: ESG) plays an important role. Read our Responsible Investment Policy here, which sets out what is expected from Berk Partners as an investor and what Berk Partners expects from its portfolio companies.
Berk Partners continuously has internships available.
About Berk Partners
Berk Partners is an independent investment company that assists companies and entrepreneurs in realizing their growth ambitions. With financial input and industry and market knowledge, Berk Partners enables its associates to accelerate their growth both organically and through acquisitions. Berk Partners actively supports its participating interests in the financial, strategic and operational areas.
Berk Partners strives for an active partnership with entrepreneurs and management teams. We are sparring partner in formulating and reviewing the corporate strategy, open our network to find the right people and bring knowledge and experience in acquisitions and (re) financing. At the operational level, we support our participations with, among other things, the improvement of business processes.
What does an internship at Berk Partners entail?
As an intern at Berk Partners you offer support to the investment team in all aspects of the investment cycle. Activities include market studies, evaluation of investment proposals, deal execution and support with the implementation of projects at our portfolio companies. The emphasis will be on analysis of markets, sectors, companies and the preparation and analysis of investment proposals, whereby financial analysis and valuation are essential elements.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for entrepreneurial trainees, with a proactive, responsible attitude.
Aarts Packaging is a leading specialist in the field of complex, high-end plastic packaging and serves many large and small customers at home and abroad. It focuses primarily on projects in the cosmetics industry, but also has clients in the food and non-food industries. As a packaging producer, Aarts is responsible for the environment, in line with the ESG objectives of Berk Partners. The company therefore follows the development of sustainable, degradable and recycled materials closely and will – where possible and desired – apply these products and present the various options to customers.
Molenmaker Techniek was founded in 2005 by Otbert Molenmaker and grew into a leading company in its market in 15 years. The company focuses on designing, creating and maintaining hydraulic systems in the broadest sense of the word. This includes bridge and lock controls, special cylinders, aggregates and ship’s hydraulics. In addition, Molenmaker Techniek designs and produces machines for production automation. Systems are supplied with or without electrical controls at the customer’s request.
Producer of coconut products to spread on bread, to go with meals or as a snack.
Theha Kokosbrood is specialist in creamy coconut products to spread on bread, to prepare meals with, or to eat as a snack. Here the toppings of coconut bread are prepared. Who didn’t grow up with it? A quick sandwich in the nicest colors and tastes, without crumbling! Available in various variants, including high-fiber, gluten-free, vegan, organic and kosher. All prepared with the tastiest coconut from Southeast Asia. Theha also produces different varieties of tasteful, soft coconut cubes that are successfully sold as a snack and are used, among other things, as an ingredient for nut mixes and granolas and as a decoration for cakes and pies. At the modern production site in Harderwijk, the preparation processes are carried out in a food-safe, efficient and largely traditional manner to provide optimum taste and smoothness to the products.
Since its foundation in 2002, Rivièra has developed into the major sleeve specialist in Europe and serves many large and small customers at home and abroad. Rivièra focuses primarily on projects in the cosmetics and beverages industry, but also has customers in the food and non-food industries. A sleeve provides more design space and possibilities to combine different target groups and possibly language variants than a label. A sleeve takes the shape of the package completely, where alternatives such as direct printing on the package and labeling have limitations. As a packaging producer, Rivièra bears responsibility for the environment, in line with the ESG objectives of Berk Partners.
Team Support
1986 – Is medewerker Team Support bij Berk Partners. Voordat zij bij Berk Partners begon, werkte zij onder meer als marketeer en freelance copywriter. Stefanie studeerde Politicologie aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam en volgt de (internationale) ontwikkelingen op het politieke toneel nog steeds op de voet.
Stefanie woont in Amsterdam, is sportief en geniet van de verscheidenheid aan horeca van de hoofdstad. Zij fietst drie dagen per week naar het kantoor van Berk.
Investment Intern
1997 – Natan Van de moortel joined Berk Partners as an intern as of September the first. Natan is currently studying Business Engineering at the KULeuven and will start his masters in Risk and Finance soon after. At the beginning of 2020, he gained some valuable experience through an internship at Benelux Succession Capital, the first Searchfund of Belgium. Furthermore, he was the former president of Capitant, the largest financial student organization of Belgium.
Natan is currently staying in Amsterdam, but during the weekends at the Belgian coast. His passion for the sea is clearly represented in his sporting life. After being a competitive sailor on catamarans for many years, he is now still active as trainer for the Royal Belgium Sailing Club.
Investment Analyst
1992 – As per September first, Ewout has started as an analyst at Berk Partners. Previous to this, he was active as a deal sourcing analyst at Gain.pro. Ewout has completed a bachelors in Chemistry and a masters in Nanomaterials Science at Utrecht University. Subsequently, he has gained valuable experience through internships at M Ventures, Drake Star and at Berk Partners. During this period at Berk, he was predominantly involved with the participation in Rivièra Product Decorations.
Ewout lives in Amsterdam and has a passion for cooking, hockey and tennis. He is also a keen DIY’er of wooden garden furniture.
1977 – Studied Applied Physics and Business Economics at the University of Groningen. PhD in analytical chemistry in the field of mass spectrometry. Made the transition to business by working for OC&C (now: Parthenon EY), strategy consulting and then went on to work at Galapagos as director of business development, a biotech company.
In 2013, he switched to private equity as a partner at Wagram Equity Partners. Since September 2016 part of the investment team of Berk Partners and co-founder / shareholder of the Berk Partners Growth Fund.
1993 – Started as an analyst at Berk Partners on August 26. Before joining Berk Partners, Alexander worked at KPMG, where he followed the “Deals” traineeship training and worked in the corporate finance team. Alexander studied at Erasmus University, where he followed a Masters in Logistics after a bachelor’s in Economics.
Immediately after his studies, he gained his first private equity experience during an internship at a small PE office. Alexander has gained a lot of transaction experience in his previous roles. Alexander lives in Amsterdam and does several sports.
1965 – Studied Business Economics at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. I was an M&A advisor at Insinger de Beaufort CorporateFinance (Reitsma & Wertheim & Partners) and then made the switch to business development director at the listed CRH. In 2012 he started as a partner at CDI, a global mid-market merger and acquisition advisor.
Frank is also the founder and shareholder of Xplo Music and is active as a shareholder in the family business: a producer and importer of machines and parts for the process industry. Frank is now part of the Berk Partners investment team and co-founder / shareholder of the Berk Partners Growth Fund.
1997 – Thijs Hofman joined the Berk Partners team in April 2020. He has followed the bachelor Economics and Business Economics and this year completed his master Financial Economics, both at Erasmus University. During his studies, Thijs developed an interest in private equity and completed a six-month internship with the Berk team. During this period he was mainly involved in the participation in Aarts Plastics. Based on the pleasant cooperation in that period, Thijs rejoins the team, this time as an analyst.
Thijs is a sports fan and plays korfball himself. He has now found an apartment in Amsterdam near the Diemerzeedijk and comes to the office by bike every day (if possible).
1961 – Studied Business Administration at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. After his studies in October 1986, he joined Bank Mees & Hope, a former banking company of the then ABN Bank. Made the switch in 1992 to the position of office director for Banque de Suez in Rotterdam. Started at Berk Holding at the end of 1995 with the primary task of being responsible for the participation funds.
Willem worked on the last two investment years of Berk Partners (I), was a co-founder and co-shareholder of Berk Partners II (1998), Berk Partners III (2003) and Berk Partners IV (2010). Currently co-founder / shareholder of the Berk Partners Growth Fund.
1964 – Studied Business Administration (Computer Science) at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Frans Jan has been active for many years at MeesPierson, Morgan Stanley, ING and GE Capital as an analyst and asset manager and has held various Managing Director positions. From that role Frans Jan has made a substantial contribution to the funding of both Berk Partners III and Berk Partners IV.
In recent years he has been active as an entrepreneur. He has successfully started, funded and subsequently brought several companies to the market. Frans Jan is part of the Berk Partners investment team and is co-founder / shareholder of the Berk Partners Growth Fund.
From 1983 Dick was a member of the Board of Directors of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Papierfabrieken N.V. (KNP). After the merger of KNP with Bührmann Tetterode and VRG in 1993, he became a member of the Executive Board of Royal KNP BT, which he held until 1995. Dick has been a member of the Supervisory Board of Berk Partners (I) B.V., Berk Partners II B.V. and Berk Partners IV B.V. (vz.).
Dick is currently Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Berk partners III B.V. Dick has also held supervisory positions with, among others, Berghuizer Papier B.V., Faber-Halbertsma Groep B.V., Stern Groep N.V. (1991 – 2011, vz.) And its legal predecessors and AV Flexologic B.V. (vz.).
Was vanaf 1983 lid van de Raad van Bestuur van de Koninklijke Nederlandse Papierfabrieken N.V. (KNP). Na de fusie van KNP met Bührmann Tetterode en VRG in 1993 werd hij lid van de Raad van Bestuur van Koninklijke KNP BT, welke functie hij tot 1995 heeft uitgeoefend. Dick is lid geweest van de Raad van Commissarissen van Berk Partners (I) B.V., Berk Partners II B.V. en Berk Partners IV B.V. (vz.).
Momenteel is Dick voorzitter van de Raad van Commissarissen van Berk partners III B.V. Dick heeft tevens commissarisfuncties bekleed bij, onder meer, Berghuizer Papier B.V., Faber-Halbertsma Groep B.V., Stern Groep N.V. (1991 – 2011, vz.) en haar rechtsvoorgangers en AV Flexologic B.V. (vz.).
Made a major player of the family company Faber Halbertsma, a manufacturer of wooden pallets, on the European market in recent decades. The Halbertsma family brought the first standard pallet onto the market fifty years ago and has since been the market leader in the Netherlands. The company produces 20 million new pallets and boxes every year.
Faber Halbertsma Group has a long history as a packaging supplier when the company, led by Kees Faber, introduced a circular system in 1997. In this circular system, the company remains the owner of the pallets it supplies. This means that the pallets are collected, sorted and, where necessary, repaired for reuse after transport. Kees Faber withdrew from the company in 2017 to transfer it to the next generation.
Maakte de afgelopen decennia een grote speler van familiebedrijf Faber Halbertsma, een fabrikant van houten pallets, op de Europese markt. De familie Halbertsma bracht vijftig jaar geleden de eerste standaardpallet op de markt en is sindsdien marktleider in Nederland. Het bedrijf produceert elk jaar 20 miljoen nieuwe pallets en boxen.
Faber Halbertsma Group heeft er al een hele geschiedenis als verpakkingsleverancier opzitten als het bedrijf onder leiding van Kees Faber in 1997 een circulair systeem introduceert. In dit circulaire systeem blijft het bedrijf eigenaar van de pallets die zij levert. Dat betekent dat de pallets na transport weer worden ingezameld, gesorteerd en waar nodig gerepareerd voor hergebruik. Kees Faber trok zich in 2017 terug uit de onderneming om het over te dragen aan de volgende generatie.
She grew up in an entrepreneurial family and started her studies in Business Administration at the Finance Investments department at ABN AMRO bank. She founded BB Capital in 2007 to bring together entrepreneurs and the professional financial world of Private Equity.
BB Capital Investments is based in The Hague and focuses on private investments in growing SMEs with an international focus. The investors of BB Capital Investments mainly consist of Dutch entrepreneurs and wealthy families, for which BB Capital Investments can offer customized solutions. BB Capital Investments launched a Fund-in-Fund proposition in 2018, giving investors low-threshold access to a wide range of European private equity funds. In that capacity, BB Capital Investments invests in Berk Partners, among others.
Is opgegroeid in een ondernemersgezin en startte na haar studie Bedrijfskunde op de afdeling Finance Investments bij ABN AMRO bank. In 2007 richtte ze BB Capital op, om ondernemers en de professionele financiële wereld van Private Equity te laten samenkomen.
BB Capital Investments is gevestigd in Den Haag en is gericht op private investeringen in groeiende MKB ondernemingen met een internationale focus. De investeerders van BB Capital Investments bestaan voornamelijk uit Nederlandse ondernemers en vermogende families, waarvoor BB Capital Investments maatwerk kan bieden. In 2018 heeft BB Capital Investments een Fund-in-Fund propositie gelanceerd, waarbij investeerders laagdrempelig toegang kunnen krijgen tot een breed aanbod van Europese private equity fondsen. Vanuit die hoedanigheid investeert BB Capital Investments onder andere in Berk Partners.
Ton Lahaije studied business administration and law in Rotterdam at the Erasmus University. In 1987 he started in Amsterdam in the corporate training at ABN Bank. Ton has held various positions at the investment bank (later ABN AMRO).
From 1999 Ton started working for the single family office ‘Dinvest’ and since the beginning of this year he has been the head of the Private Equity division of ‘New Waves Investments’, also a single family office. Ton has more than 20 years of experience with direct and indirect investments in private equity. In his spare time Ton likes to travel and he does running and fitness.
Ton Lahaije studeerde bedrijfskunde en rechten in Rotterdam aan de Erasmus Universiteit. In 1987 startte hij in Amsterdam in de concernopleiding bij de ABN Bank. Bij de zakenbank (daarna ABN AMRO) heeft Ton diverse functies bekleed.
Vanaf 1999 is Ton gaan werken voor de single family office ‘Dinvest’ en sinds begin dit jaar is hij het hoofd van de Private Equity divisie van ‘New Waves Investments’, ook een single family office. Ton heeft meer dan 20 jaar ervaring met directe en indirecte investeringen in private equity. In zijn vrije tijd reist Ton graag en hij doet aan running en fitness.
Is a member of the RvA on behalf of the Investment Fund Groningen. Both Jan’s parents are from Groningen and Jan himself is also a proud Groninger. After his hotel school studies, Jan worked in London for a few years before finally returning to the Groningen nest via Amsterdam. ABN AMRO was his employer before Jan joined the NOM. He was an investment manager there from 2011 to 2015 and has been a fund manager at IFG for more than 3 years.
Jan describes his role as: “enticing companies to establish themselves in Groningen, setting up R&D activities together or investing in northern SMEs.” Jan is a member of the Supervisory Board of several participations of the IFG and also socially active.
Jan lives with his girlfriend in the city of Groningen and expects to complete his Bachelor of Business Administration this year in addition to his job. In his spare time, Jan enjoys cycling, traveling far and listening to Bruce Springsteen.
Is lid van de RvA namens het Investeringsfonds Groningen. Jan’s beide ouders komen uit Groningen en Jan zelf is ook een trotse Groninger. Na zijn hotelschoolstudie heeft Jan enkele jaren in Londen gewerkt om uiteindelijk, via Amsterdam, toch weer op het Groningse nest terug te keren. ABN AMRO was zijn werkgever voordat Jan bij de NOM begon. Hij was daar van 2011 tot 2015 investeringsmanager en is nu al ruim 3 jaar fondsmanager bij IFG.
Jan omschrijft zijn rol als: ‘het verleiden van bedrijven zich in Groningen te vestigen, samen R&D activiteiten op te zetten of te investeren in noordelijke MKB bedrijven.’ Jan is commissaris bij enkele participaties van het IFG en daarnaast ook maatschappelijk actief.
Jan woont met zijn vriendin in Groningen-stad en verwacht dit jaar, naast zijn baan, zijn studie Bachelor of Business Administration af te ronden. In zijn vrije tijd doet Jan graag aan wielrennen, maakt verre reizen en luistert naar Bruce Springsteen.
Herman (1959) studied law in Utrecht. He started as a notary in Amersfoort in 1992, and has been involved with our venture capital company since the founding of Berk Partners. Herman has had many other activities besides his position as a notary. Examples are activities for the Royal Notarial Professional Organization, disciplinary rules on notaries and deputy judge.
In addition, Herman held various supervisory directorships and board positions for charities, among others. According to Herman, his role as a supervisor for profit and non-profit organizations is a great combination with the notarial profession.
Herman (1959) studeerde rechten in Utrecht. In 1992 begon hij als notaris in Amersfoort, en is al sinds de oprichting van Berk Partners bij onze participatiemaatschappij betrokken. Herman heeft naast zijn functie als notaris veel andere werkzaamheden gehad. Voorbeelden zijn activiteiten voor de Koninklijke Notariële Beroepsorganisatie, het tuchtrechterschap over notarissen en rechter plaatsvervanger.
Daarnaast vervulde Herman diverse commissariaten en bestuursfuncties voor onder andere goede doelen. Zijn rol als toezichthouder bij profit en nonprofit organisaties is volgens Herman een prima combinatie met het notariaat.
Aart (1952) studied in Utrecht and was active in the notarial profession in Amersfoort from 1976 to 2018. He is one of the founders of VBC Notarissen, which in its time grew from a one-man office to the largest independent notary’s office in the Netherlands. As a notary, he literally stood at the cradle of BerkPartners. He specialized in services to family businesses, wealthy individuals and non-profit organizations.
After his retirement in 2018, he still has many other positions where he can use his many years of experience. He is, for example, a supervisory director of a company in the recreation sector, director of several organizations in the field of welfare and culture and director of various capital funds. He has a special preference for the socially relevant use of old (preferably medieval) institutions.
Aart (1952) studeerde in Utrecht en is van 1976 tot 2018 actief geweest in het notariaat in Amersfoort. Hij is een van de grondleggers van VBC Notarissen, dat in zijn tijd uitgroeide van eenmanskantoor tot het grootste zelfstandige notariskantoor van Nederland. Als notaris heeft hij letterlijk aan de wieg gestaan van BerkPartners. Hij was gespecialiseerd in de dienstverlening aan familiebedrijven, vermogende particulieren en non-profit organisaties.
Na zijn pensionering in 2018 heeft hij nog steeds veel nevenfuncties waarin hij zijn jarenlange ervaringen kan benutten. Zo is hij commissaris van een vennootschap in de recreatiesector, bestuurder van meerdere organisaties op het terrein van welzijn en cultuur en bestuurder van diverse vermogensfondsen. Hij heeft een bijzondere voorliefde voor het maatschappelijk relevant inzetten van oude (bij voorkeur middeleeuwse) instellingen.