BRUSSELS: Gimv has acquired a majority shareholding in Verkley, which specialises in building and maintaining underground cable and pipeline networks for energy and water, a news release said.

Gimv has acquired the shares from PMH Investments in Heerenveen.Verkley’s experienced management is also reinvesting. In cooperation with Gimv, Verkley is keen to anchor and expand its activities as an important northern Dutch player in underground infrastructure in a sustainable way.

Investment in public utilities is a must: with solar energy and wind power coming to the fore, and with growing demand for electrical energy for electric vehicles, heat pumps, ICT systems and other uses, today’s electricity networks are inadequate for the future.

In the northern Netherlands in particular, many electricity networks need to be significantly reinforced. Parallel with this comes water transition: water resources made scarcer by climate changes demand good management, including major investments to maintain and replace existing drinking water networks.

The opportunities and growth possibilities for a well-reputed player like Verkley are great. For 50years, the company has been building mains and connecting piping for network companies in the northern Netherlands.

Next to that Verkley specializes in consultancy, engineering and project management for cable and pipeline networks. In order to deepen its service to its clients, Verkley is also keen to expand its specialization in engineering and more complex horizontal soil drilling (trenchless technologies).

With Gimv, Verkley has found the right partner to realise these ambitions. Verkley enjoys a strong reputation for quality, safety, flexibility and technical competence, criteria that are very important in its customers. In this way the company has built up an impressive customer base over the past decades, with many multi-year contracts.

With some 150 permanent employees and 150 flex workers, the company is able to respond quickly and flexibly to changing circumstances. Verkley generated a turnover of EUR 38 million in 2020out of two facilities, one in Drachten (head office) and one in Groningen.

Erik Blauw, CEO of Verkley, explains: “With the arrival of Gimv and its expertise, we hope to be an even better partner for our customers. By taking on board this experienced partner with a strong network in our sector, we are ready for the next phase of growth. Our shared vision on long-term value creation is the best guarantee for success in our markets and for continuity for all our stakeholders.

At the same time if offers greater career opportunities and development prospects for our employees.”

Durk van der Meer, managing director of PMH Investments, says: ‘It is not easy to say goodbye to a magnificent company, after working together to bring Verkley to its present outstanding condition. Buta change of shareholders is good for the company’s next growth phase and for maintaining its market position through excellence.”

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the competition authorities. No further financial details on this transaction are being published.

Gimv is a European investment company, listed on Euronext Brussels. With 40 years’ experience in private equity, Gimv currently has EUR 2 billion of assets under management. The portfolio contains around 50 portfolio companies, with combined turnover of EUR 2.5 billion and 14,000 employees. www.gimv.com

Verkley is a specialist in the installation, assembly and testing ofcables and pipes with a focus on energy (gas and electricity) and water. www.verkley.nl