Halder-backed Aqua Vital buys Kalimba

The acquisition solves a succession problem for the company's founders, who started the business in 1996. They have expanded operations out of Belgium and into the Netherlands and Germany in this time.

Aqua Vital has experienced organic and acquisitive growth under Halder's ownership, increasing its revenues from €18m in 2012 to €34m in 2016. The company bought German competitor Revos Watercooler in a bolt-on acquisition in 2014.

Kalimba will continue to use its own brand but will adopt the direct marketing approach of Aqua Vital to accelerate growth.

Previous funding
In May 2008, Aheim Capital (previously Buchanan Capital Partners) acquired a majority stake in Aqua Vital from the founder and owner Peter Lázár, who retained a minority stake.

Aheim sold its stake to Halder in July 2013, netting a 2.4x gross money multiple upon exit. Halder drew equity from its fifth fund, Halder-GIMV Germany II, a €325m vehicle that closed in February 2008.

Company
Kalimba is a drinks dispenser company based in Lanaken, Belgium. It was founded in 1996 and has since expanded into the Netherlands and Germany, where it has established an office in Nörvenich-Rath. Its main product is water dispensers but it also provides tea and coffee machines for homes and offices. According to publicly available documents, it employs 11 people and generated an operating profit of €1m in 2016.

People
Kalimba – Albert van Deemter (CEO).

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• Topics
• Portfolio management
• Industrials
• Benelux
• Belgium
• Halder Beteiligungsberatung GmbH
• Build-up