Active Capital takes majority stake in Arnold Suhr

The deal saw the GP acquire a 70% stake in Arnold Suhr, while commercial director Kasper Bouwman took a 20% stake and director Nico La Maitre secured 10%.

Active Capital's investment should enable the group to keep expanding, with plans to open a US office and to invest in more factories in Madagascar, where it already has operations.

In recent times, Arnold Suhr has tried to refocus its offering and to become more specialised on a smaller section of the market, having cut its product range from 360 to 60.

The company, which will continue to invest in additional production plants in new locations, recently made its first steps in Guatemala, where it acquired a site for the cultivation of sugar substitute stevia (used in food products and soft drinks) through a local joint venture.

Active Capital recently acquired a majority stake in wet wipes manufacturer Codi Group from Value Enhancement partners, which had owned the group since 2013. The investment came shortly after Active Capital closed its third buyout fund with €45m in commitments – a step up from its predecessor, which had a €30m target. The fund focuses on companies with revenues of €10-80m. 

Company
Established in 1947, Arnold Suhr is a speciality chemicals company providing ingredients for the food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and chemicals sectors. Ingredients include quinine, the sweetener stevia, and iodine. Its customers include large multinational groups including Schweppes and the Coca-Cola Company.

Based in Hilversum, the Netherlands, the group also has operations in China and Madagascar. Its turnover currently amounts to around €40m for a €1-2m EBITDA.

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• Buyouts
• Benelux
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• Benelux
• Netherlands