Home Deals Rasecht acquires FishPartners and becomes a full-service supplier for ambulant fish traders and fish specialty shops Deals

Rasecht acquires FishPartners and becomes a full-service supplier for ambulant fish traders and fish specialty shops

Company Name FishPartners B.V.

Transaction Sell-side

Website Open

Sector Food +1

Tags Family business, Strategic

Rasecht B.V. has acquired industry peer FishPartners B.V. The two Netherlands-based companies are joining forces to form a strong combination within the market for ambulant fish trading and fish specialty shops. Both companies will continue to operate independently within a shared holding structure, laying the foundation for further scaling and specialisation within the segment. FishPartners was advised on the transaction by M&A advisor Marktlink.

Headquartered in Urk and Bunschoten-Spakenburg respectively, Rasecht and FishPartners share a similar vision for the future of the fish industry. The acquisition reflects a broader trend within the sector, in which consolidation, cooperation and supply chain optimization are playing an increasingly important role. By joining forces, the companies expect to be better positioned to respond to growing market demands, both in terms of product range and reliability of supply.

“This step allows us to further strengthen our role as a full-service supplier, without making concessions to our identity or way of working.”

- Dirk Peter Koelewijn, Managing Director FishPartners

The match

The companies will be brought together under the newly established holding company Horizon Group, in which five shareholders from both organisations will each hold an equal stake of twenty percent. The shareholders are Jan Ras (founder of Rasecht), his brother Klaas Ras and Evert Baarssen, who joined Rasecht following the acquisition of Zeebulon. From FishPartners, current management team members Dirk Peter Koelewijn and Jasper Beekhuis will participate as co-shareholders.

FishPartners, which employs 84 people, will continue to operate from its headquarters in Spakenburg. From this location, daily deliveries are made to fish specialty shops and ambulant traders in the Netherlands and Germany. In addition, FishPartners operates a production facility in Enschede, specialising in herring products, marinades and proprietary sauces.

Rasecht, which employs approximately twenty people, will remain active from Urk and focuses on the production and processing of fresh fish fillets, with cod and salmon as its core products. From this location, the company serves the local market with a broad, full-range assortment. The combination of both companies results in a more efficient supply chain organisation, in which production and distribution are closely aligned.

"With FishPartners, we are bringing on board a partner that shares our vision and complements us in terms of product range and logistical strength."

- Jan Ras, Managing Director Rasecht

Long term and identity

According to Jan Ras, Managing Director of Rasecht, the acquisition fits within the company’s long-term vision: “We believe that scale, cooperation and specialization are decisive for long-term viability in this industry. With FishPartners, we are bringing on board a partner that shares our vision and complements us in terms of product range and logistical strength.”

Dirk Peter Koelewijn, Managing Director of FishPartners, also describes the move as a logical step: “Our customers want to be fully supported with quality, speed and availability. This step allows us to further strengthen our role as a full-service supplier, without making concessions to our identity or way of working. By bundling volumes and sourcing directly at the source, we contribute to a more efficient and therefore more sustainable supply chain.”

The transaction was completed under the guidance of M&A advisor Marktlink and Profinis Accountants & Advisors. Fredrik Jonker of Marktlink explains: “Rasecht and FishPartners not only complement each other well operationally, but also share a down-to-earth entrepreneurial mindset and strong customer relationships. That shared foundation makes this a strong partnership that aligns well with developments in this market.”

Deal team for this transaction: