The role of Private Equity in Dutch Retail – The cases of Action and Riedel

The INSEAD Private Equity Club invites you to hear the ins and outs of two great Dutch private equity deals in the Dutch retail space. In the usual informal setting, you will have the opportunity to learn more about these success stories directly from the people who were involved and gain key insights about how they succeed in getting the deal done, how they’ve been creating value, the challenges they’ve faced and the future potential they see.

In addition, the event is an ideal setting to meet and network with other INSEAD professionals active in private equity and venture capital or who have an interest in the sector.

This event is kindly hosted by Allen & Overy in Amsterdam on Tuesday 4 April 2023

We are pleased to announce that the following deals will be presented:

Boris Kawohl (3i): Action is a leading European non-food discounter with a broad and fast changing assortment. At the time of the investment in 2011, the company had 245 stores in 3 countries, generating circa €600m in sales. By 2022, the company had more than 2000 stores in 10 countries with circa €9bn in sales with more than 70.000 employees. Boris Kawohl is Partner and Managing Director at 3i Benelux. He is responsible for 3i's global Consumer sector. He joined 3i in 2005 and has been involved in various deals including Action, Basic-Fit, Hans Anders (now nexeye), BoConcept, Eyes + More, Konges Slojd, Mepal, Royal Sanders, Refresco and VakantieDiscounter.

Guido Grobbink (Standard Investment) and Bas Boswinkel (Riedel): Riedel, known for its leading brands such as Coolbest, Appelsientje, Dubbelfrisss and Taksi, was in a perfect storm in 2017: market decline, management instability, and a need to do a very complex separation from mother FrieslandCampina. Standard Investment is a hands-on investor, focusing on all situations where it helps when the shareholder is actively engaged, and has an attitude of taking up challenges. Standard Investment saw a very good fit and decided to try to acquire Riedel, but it turned out there was unexpected competition.... Guido Grobbink (MBA 98), the deal partner at Standard Investment and Bas Boswinkel, Riedels CEO, will focus on the takeover process from different sides, and will elaborate on the turnaround of the company so far and how hands-on PE can work with companies to reverse declining sales and reposition it.

Program:

18.00-18.30 Welcome and bites

18.30-20.30 Presentations (in English)

20.30-21.30 Drinks

Address:

Allen & Overy LLP

Apollolaan 15, 1077 AB Amsterdam

We are looking forward to meeting you in April.

Kind regards,

IPEC – Thijs Emondts, Marnix van der Feltz, Joost Heeremans and Vincent Lüning

The role of PE – The cases of Action and Riedel, 4 April 2023