Arvesta expands with acquisition of Benfried

Arvesta, the full-service partner for farmers and horticulturists, continues to focus on international growth: the organisation is further expanding its expertise in the agriculture and horticulture sectors with the full acquisition of Benfried, global supplier for (greenhouse) horticulture, located in Den Hoorn (Zuid-Holland).  Marktlink F\usies & Overnames introduced the parties and oversaw the sale.

Benfried is a family business established in 1946, which has since grown into a professional supplier for the international horticulture sector with a wide range of crop protection products, fertilisers, and growing equipment. Today, the company has more than 70 employees who assist customers with their knowledge and expertise. In addition, Benfried also develops, processes, and sells sustainable stone wool products under its own label ‘Multigrow’.

International growth
This acquisition completely aligns with the strategy of both companies: further international growth. Arvesta already occupies a leading position in the greenhouse horticulture sector with its strong brands Sanac, Hortiplan, and Alliance (NL). Strong brand Van der Hoeven (NL) joined this list in 2020. Niek Depoorter, Business Unit Director Agri & Horti, Arvesta: “We are extremely excited about this new collaboration with Benfried. Together with our teams, we can exchange the excellent knowledge we both possess, and create synergies. This way, we can face the challenges within the sector together and launch sustainable greenhouse horticulture innovations internationally.”

Petto and Fried Koop are both well into their sixties, so it was important to think about the future. The search for the right partner took about a year. Maintaining continuity, identity, and employment played a major role in the choice. “This acquisition readies Benfried for the next 75 years,” says Petto Koop, Benfried’s Financial Director. “We see that customers are growing and becoming more complex, and this step aligns with Benfried’s growth ambition.” “We want people to grow with us and remain innovative, and that requires a certain size,” adds Fried Koop, Commercial Director.

There will be virtually no changes for the customers. Petto Koop: “Our business operations will remain more or less unchanged, and international growers we supply will continue to receive their goods in the same way. We want growers to achieve more yield from their greenhouses every day thanks to us. 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 when it comes to sustainable and innovative solutions.”

Logical step
M&A advisor Max van Wakeren from Marktlink feels the acquisition is a logical strategic step for both parties: “Benfried has been one of the most prominent suppliers for greenhouse horticulture in the Dutch and European markets for decades. Scaling up in horticulture requires strong partnerships in order to meet future market challenges. Arvesta’s acquisition of Benfried is a great example of this.”

The final completion of this acquisition is subject to the approval of the Dutch competition authorities.