Common Ground Corporate Finance is happy to announce the successful transfer of the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) business from Nikon Metrology to ASF Metrology. Common Ground acted as the exclusive advisor to Nikon Metrology.

Nikon Metrology, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, has its headquarters in Leuven (B), and is active in the field of metrology solutions for applications ranging from miniature electronics to the largest aircrafts. CMM is a one of the specific product lines that enables customers in the automotive and aerospace industries to optimize their inspection processes and improve product quality.
As a part of a strategic product review, Nikon has decided to focus on optical 3D Metrology and X-ray/CT technology and to divest the CMM business.

ASF Metrology is an Italian company with a long-term experience in the CMM market and this focus will enable the business to expand the existing solid customer base.

“Common Ground helped us in approaching a limited number of strategic and financial buyers and was able to negotiate a well balanced and attractive transaction in line with our strategy to also maintain a close relationship between both entities, each from their own strength”, says Hajime Kosawa-san, CEO of Nikon Metrology. “Also in the execution of the transaction, Common Ground ensured a swift and efficient process of this sophisticated asset deal.”

Common Ground Corporate Finance is happy to announce the successful acquisition of UK based KK Fine Foods by Ter Beke NV (Euronext: TERB).

Common Ground acted as the corporate finance advisor for Ter Beke. “Common Ground’s knowledge and experience in the food segment was very instrumental in finding the right target for Ter Beke’s internationalization strategy and in positioning Ter Beke as the best strategic buyer for the further development of KK Fine Foods” says Dirk Goeminne, CEO of Ter Beke.

KK Fine Foods is a passionate, fast moving business built on family values and integrity. KK Fine Foods produces and distributes fresh ready-made meals (frozen) which are sold in the food service and retail markets. With a turnover of 39.3 million EUR in 2016, the company is a major player in the ready meals market and it enjoys double digits growth figures every year.

Ter Beke is an innovative Belgian fresh food group with a wide range of high-quality fresh food products and associated services operating commercially in many European countries. This takeover gives Ter Beke also a firm foothold in the UK market, the largest of its kind for ready meals in Europe.

Common Ground Corporate Finance is happy to announce the successful acquisition of the UK based Quat-Chem Ltd by Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq:NEOG).

Quat-Chem Ltd. is a 20-year-old chemical company specializing in the development, manufacture and sale of agricultural, industrial, and food processing biocidal hygiene products, including cleaners and disinfectants. Quat-Chem’s annual revenues are approximately $12 million (USD).

US based Neogen Corporation develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety.

Common Ground acted as the exclusive corporate finance advisor to Neogen corporation. “Common Ground’s knowledge and experience in the animal safety segment was very instrumental in finding the target and in positioning Neogen as the right buyer for their business” says Jason Lilly, Vice President – Corporate Development of Neogen Corporation.

Neogen’s acquisition of Quat-Chem is the latest in its strategy of expanding the company’s biosecurity business, which began in 2003 with its acquisition of rodenticides, cleaners and disinfectants from ConAgra. The expansion continued with Neogen’s 2008 acquisition of DuPont’s biosecurity product line, the 2014 acquisition of Chem-Tech, and 2016 acquisitions of Preserve International and Virbac’s rodenticides.

Common Ground Corporate Finance is happy to announce that D2E has invested in Trafuco group, one of the largest Belgian transport businesses.

Common Ground Corporate Finance acted as the exclusive corporate finance advisor to Trafuco group.

The merger and acquisition market in the transport and logistical sector is definitely on the up. The main objectives are consolidation, geographical expansion and vertical and horizontal specialisation. This year, the total value of acquisition transactions in the transport market will exceed 60 billion dollars. This transaction fits perfectly with Trafuco’s buy&build strategy.

Trafuco realised a turnover of € 27.5 million and € 4 million EBITDA with 220 employees, 170 vehicles, 350 trailers and 4 barges. It works exclusively with its own transport equipment and its own staff on a Belgian payroll.

For D2E, an independent private equity investor, Trafuco is the ideal platform and an ideal growth partner for the specialist transport market, which is currently embarking on the globalisation process. D2E will support Trafuco to achieve an increase in scale and tap into new markets, while giving the freedom to keep doing business the Trafuco way.

Marc Van den Broeck CEO and shareholder of Trafuco group : “Common Ground listened to our specific needs and understood our unique positioning. In approaching the market, they proved to be very flexible and have been able to translate our specific approach and value-added to interested investors. The perfect collaboration with the knowledgeable partners from Common Ground, is in my view the basis for this highly satisfying result.”

Common Ground Corporate Finance is happy to announce that Gimv invests in EcoChem International, a Belgian company engaged in innovation, product development, manufacturing and distribution of eco-friendly flame retardant additives which are mainly used in building & construction, transportation and electronic applications.

Common Ground Corporate Finance acted as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to EcoChem International.

Founded in 2000 by Herman Meynaerts and Pieter Daeseleire, the company has a track record of steady growth with a turnover of about EUR 25 million serving clients in 25 countries. Headquartered in Olen (Belgium), EcoChem operates 2 production facilities located in Willlebroek (Belgium) and in Offenbach (Germany).

With this investment Gimv takes a majority stake, alongside the founders. This financing will be used to support EcoChem’s ambitious growth strategy through both international expansion and entrance into new product segments.

Matthias Vandepitte, Principal at Gimv: “We are excited to support EcoChem in their ambitious growth strategy. The goal of this partnership is to further strengthen Ecochem’s market position, to enter into new markets and to expand the business on a global level. Future-oriented niches in specialty chemicals is one of the key focus investment areas of the Sustainable Cities platform and we look forward to doing more investments in this area.”

Joris Coppye, former CEO of specialty chemical distributor Azelis and currently partner at Common Ground, will join EcoChem to further shape the company’s growth plans. The partners of Common Ground would like to sincerely congratulate Joris with this appointment and wish him all the best with this new venture.