Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) has signed a contract to acquire Vanderlande— the international market leader for value-added logistic process automation at airports and in the parcel market, in addition to being a leading provider for storage facilities– from the company’s present owner NPM Capital.
The acquisition has been totally approved and supported by Vanderlande’s Supervisory and Management Boards, and Works Council. Vanderlande will keep its name and corporate identity, in addition to continue its operations as a standalone entity from the same places worldwide.
The transaction symbolizes TICO’s strategic ambition to boost its presence in automated material handling. It follows the recently announced growth in North America with the acquisition of Bastian Solutions LLC and additional cements TICO’s global leading position for overall solutions within material handling.
In 2016, the Japanese automaker celebrated its 90th anniversary (1926-2016) and has grown to 51,458 workers as of the end of March last year. In the exact same financial year, it accomplished a turnover of EUR 16.8 billion, with product handling representing 45% of its overall business. It has been the world’s top lift truck manufacturer from 2002 and the top in the Japanese market over the last 50 years.
As Managing Officer for TICO and the designated Chairman of Vanderlande’s Supervisory Board, Mr Norio Wakabayashi states, “Vanderlande matches our existing offering by supplying a complete variety of incorporated automated product handling solutions. We likewise see a strong tactical match in our substantial sales and service networks. This acquisition develops even better international coverage throughout almost all of the markets that have a requirement for automation.”
NPM Capital’s Managing Director, Bart Coopmans, includes, “NPM Capital has had a long-lasting focus with respect to investing in Vanderlande since the start in 1988. We have continuously supported financial investments in the organization and its technological abilities, resulting in Vanderlande’s existing market-leading positions. The entry of Toyota as a strong tactical shareholder will allow Vanderlande to take the next step in its growth trajectory.”
Vanderlande’s CEO, Remo Brunschwiler, concludes, the company “is pleased to be obtained by such an effective, tactical partner. The financial strength behind TICO and its global presence will help our business to continue with its method of sustainable successful growth”.
The deal goes through customary regulative approvals and closing is anticipated during Q2 2017.
