Gimv acquires 32% stake in Contraload

As part of the deal, the management team and existing investor Down2Earth Capital retained a 38% and 30% stake, respectively.

The fresh capital will help the company strengthen its market position, expand into new sectors and perform strategic acquisitions to grow internationally.

Previous investment
In September 2001, Convent Capital provided an undisclosed amount of growth capital to Contraload.

In August 2014, Down2Earth backed the company's management in an MBO. According to unquote" data, the Belgian GP acquired a stake of almost 50% for an equity ticket of €5-10m.

Company
Founded in 2004, Contraload manages the rental of plastic pallets, crates and drums and offers support services, consultancy and IT services, mainly for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

The company employs 48 people and generated €23m in revenue in 2015. Contraload claims to have posted a 20% turnover increase compared with 2014 and aims to double this value in the next three years.

Contraload also claims to reach 300 customers through its 3,000 collection points in Europe. Besides its head office in Aartselaar, Belgium, the company has offices in France, Spain, the Netherlands and in the UK.

People
Gimv – Thomas Dewever (principal).
Down2Earth Capital – Alain Keppens (partner).
Contraload – Sylvain Naets, Jesse Sels (founders, CEOs).

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• Topics
• Expansion
• Benelux
• Support services
• Belgium
• Gimv