A long-term investor
Wendel is a hands-on investor and shareholder that assists sector-leading companies in their long-term development. Wendel's business model combines the entrepreneurial passion born of a long family tradition with a culture of performance and accountability.
Oranje-Nassau
International private equity investments
Following the transaction, Oranje-Nassau Groep, which currently holds Deutsch, Stahl, Stallergenes, Materis and AVR-Van Gansewinkel, will remain a key platform in the Wendel group for further international developments
Why we invested
Wendel became the owner of Oranje-Nassau in 1908. Originally, this company operated coal mines in the Limburg province that supplied blast furnaces. In the early 1970s, coal mines were gradually closed in the Netherlands, and Oranje-Nassau began its oil and gas drilling and production activities in the North Sea. Production began in 1977. Since 1987, with the acquisition of oilfields in the North Sea and several North African and Middle Eastern countries, Oranje-Nassau has become an international player in oil & gas production.
How Wendel has helped Oranje-Nassau to expand
The Group’s reconversion occurred after the Netherlands nationalized its coal mines. After the mines were closed, the Group invested in acquiring oil fields and in real estate. In 2007, the real-estate division was sold in a favorable environment. Oranje-Nassau then refocused on its core business of acquiring active oil fields and turned away from the riskier activity of production. Since 1987 it has acquired or sold more than 40 oil fields, mainly in the North Sea, the Middle East and Africa, making Oranje-Nassau a respected player in the sector.
Outlook
Following a strategic review of its activities, the Dutch group Oranje-Nassau, 100%
subsidiary of Wendel, has signed an agreement with the intention of selling its oil and gas
activities to a Dyas led consortium composed of ONH B.V. (a Dutch private investment company controlled by Marcel van Poecke), Dyas UK limited (100% owned subsidiary of SHV Holdings N.V.) and Sumitomo Corporation.
Following the transaction, Oranje-Nassau Groep, which currently holds Deutsch, Stahl, Stallergenes, Materis and AVR-Van Gansewinkel, will remain a key platform in the Wendel group for further international developments.
