Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) has signed an agreement to acquire Vanderlande – the global market leader for value-added logistic process automation at airports and in the parcel market, as well as being a leading supplier for warehouses – from the company’s current owner NPM Capital.
The transaction signifies TICO’s strategic ambition to increase its presence in automated material handling. It follows the recently announced expansion in North America with the acquisition of Bastian Solutions LLC and further cements TICO’s global leading position for total solutions within material handling.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Veghel, The Netherlands, Vanderlande has delivered solutions in more than 105 countries with local presence in 30 of them. Building on innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services, Vanderlande has showed significant growth over recent years and is well positioned for the future with close working relationships with high-profile customers.
As Managing officer for TICO and the designated Chairman of Vanderlande’s Supervisory Board, Mr. Norio Wakabayashi, says, “Vanderlande complements our current offering by providing a full range of integrated automated material handling solutions. We also see a strong strategic match in our extensive sales and service networks. This acquisition creates an even stronger global coverage across almost all of the markets that have a requirement for automation.”
“Vanderlande’s CEO Remo Brunschwiler adds, “Vanderlande is pleased to be acquired by such a hugely successful, strategic partner. The financial strength behind TICO and its global presence will help our company to continue with its strategy of sustainable profitable growth.
NPM Capital’s Managing Director, Bart Coopmans, concludes, “NPM Capital has had a long term focus with respect to investing in Vanderlande since the start in 1988. We have continuously supported investments in the organization and its technological capabilities resulting in Vanderlande’s current market leading positions. The entry of Toyota as a strong strategic shareholder will enable Vanderlande to take the next step in its growth trajectory.”
The acquisition has been fully approved and supported by Vanderlande’s Management Board and Works Council. Vanderlande will retain its name and corporate identity, as well as continue its operations as a standalone entity from the same locations worldwide.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing is expected during Q2 2017.
