Acquisitions in Overijssel, Netherlands

VDL Groep acquired Sintecs, an electronics design specialist headquartered in Hengelo, to expand its high-end in-house electronics development and production support capabilities. Sintecs brings a team of roughly 75 employees across Hengelo and Vilnius and expertise spanning complex digital electronics, PCB design, embedded software, and cybersecurity-focused products marketed under its Scalys brand.

Gilde Equity Management has re-acquired a majority stake in Dunlop Protective Footwear from EQT Mid Market Europe. Headquartered in Raalte, Netherlands, Dunlop is a global leader in high-performance safety boots with production sites in the Netherlands, Portugal and the US and over 400 employees; Gilde plans to support further product, digital and international growth.

Crestview Partners has completed the acquisition of TenCate Grass Holding B.V. from Royal TenCate, a business previously owned by a consortium led by Gilde Buy Out Partners. Headquartered in Nijverdal, the Netherlands, TenCate Grass is a vertically integrated global manufacturer, distributor and installer of artificial turf solutions with roughly $600 million in annual revenues; Crestview will partner with the existing management team to pursue organic growth and M&A expansion.

Gilde Equity Management has acquired VHZ Groep in partnership with the company’s management team. The transaction transfers ownership from Ramphastos Investments and a private shareholder to Gilde and VHZ management and aims to support VHZ’s continued growth in uPVC windows and doors manufacturing and installation across the Netherlands.

PCI Nederland has acquired Hecla audiovisueel (Hengelo) and ICT Spirit (Haaksbergen) as part of its strategy to expand both revenue and specialized services under an “all-in-one” IT model. The deals add audiovisual presentation systems capabilities (via Hecla) and further IT services capacity (via ICT Spirit), with both target owners expressing support for the combination.

EQT Mid Market Europe has agreed to buy a majority stake in Dunlop Protective Footwear from Gilde Equity Management, with Gilde reinvesting and remaining a significant shareholder. EQT will support Dunlop's global growth—enhancing its US go-to-market, expanding into underpenetrated geographies, accelerating e-commerce and product innovation, and pursuing add-on acquisitions; the deal is expected to close in Q2 2018.