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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.
Van Gansewinkel Groep
Waste collection and processing energy supplier
VAN GANSEWINKEL GROEP GIVES WASTE A SECOND LIFE
VAN GANSEWINKEL GROEP IN BRIEF
Why did we invest in Van Gansewinkel?
In 2006, Oranje-Nassau Développement developed an investment activity in the Netherlands, in addition to the energy and real estate businesses already in its portfolio. In this new context, Oranje-Nassau Développement teamed up with CVC Partners and KKR in January of that year to acquire AVR from the city of Rotterdam for €1,400 million, with Oranje-Nassau Développement taking an 8% stake.
In March 2007, AVR merged with Van Gansewinkel Groep, thereby becoming one of Europe’s principal waste collection and treatment companies.
Extracting value from waste is central to Van Gansewinkel’s strategy, and the company is at the crossroads of three major long-term, economic and societal trends: environmental protection,
managing natural resources and saving energy. The company has developed a whole set of waste collection and recycling techniques and solutions. Its various specialized divisions handle products ranging from glass to refrigerators & freezers, televisions, small household appliances and computers & peripherals. Constantly innovating, Van Gansewinkel obtains value from these products by producing energy and transforming organic material through composting and fermentation. So it was only natural that Oranje-Nassau Développement should choose to accompany and support the growth of this company.
Highlights of 2011
On June 15, Van Gansewinkel announced it had acquired Veolia’s Belgian waste treatment and environmental activities, except for the hazardous waste portion. This was an important milestone in the execution of the company’s growth strategy.
With 450 employees and 140 vehicles, Veolia Environmental Services Belgium generated revenue of around 100 million. The Benelux countries constitute Van Gansewinkel Groep’s principal market, but the group is also active in the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Hungary, Portugal and Germany.
In January 2011, Van Gansewinkel launched “Offi ce Paper”, which meets all of the requirements imposed on high-quality paper used in offi ces. The Offi ce Paper production process uses 83% less water (79 liters of water per bale of paper) and 72% less electricity than standard offi ce paper. It emits up to 53% less CO2. In addition, no trees need to be cut down to produce Van Gansewinkel’s Offi ce Paper, whereas a bale of standard offi ce paper requires 7.5 kilos of wood. Paper used in offi ces is often recycled, but most often into newsprint or tissue products, rather than into offi ce paper. Van Gansewinkel Offi ce Paper is certifi ed by the EPEA and is the fi rst certifi ed Cradle to Cradle® offi ce paper in the world.
