NPM Capital now also operates from Brussels

NPM Capital opened a branch office in Brussels in mid-2008 and the firm’s investment activities have now been expanded to cover the entire Benelux. The NPM office in Brussels is headed by Philip Ghekiere (Investment Director). He is supported by a team of professionals comprised of Philippe Touquet (Investment Manager), Jean-Charles Velge (Business Analyst) and Mieke Cuvelier (Assistant).

The focus of NPM Capital’s activities in Belgium is also on acquiring sizeable minority stakes in medium-sized family companies within either the context of supporting a buy & build strategy or restructuring the shareholder base. NPM Capital seeks in relation to these investments to serve as the financial partner for family shareholders that have a long-term value creation strategy and that wish to maintain control over their companies.

NPM Capital furthermore performs the role of financial partner for enterprising management teams that wish to conduct a buy-out of either a division of a larger company that is being divested or a family company that is encountering a succession issue. The related aim is value creation through growth and operational improvement.

NPM Capital focuses on companies that are led by experienced management teams and that have either achieved or have the potential to achieve market leadership in their niche market. With the active support of NPM Capital, these companies can develop their international market position via a buy & build strategy. When necessary, NPM Capital will make additional capital available for this purpose.

Ghekiere: ‘There are numerous excellent companies in the food, synthetics, logistics, technology and other sectors in Belgium that have the potential to realise further international growth with the support of a long-term financial partner. A number of dynamic family companies are currently facing a change of generation or succession issues and a professional shareholder such as NPM Capital could provide a solution. Thanks to the knowledge and expertise NPM Capital has gained over the past sixty years, we are able to actively assist these companies to realise their strategies.’

The current investments in Belgium, LMS International NV and Dujardin Foods NV, will now be managed through NPM Capital’s office in Brussels.