Our focus is on companies in the manufacturing industry
VADO invests in manufacturing companies, where technology is omnipresent. Craftsmanship plays a crucial role and the development of employees and organisation receives a lot of attention. The atmosphere is often informal and collegial and everyone feels part of the team, of “the family”. We strive for a match between the people and culture of the company and those of VADO. Our origins are in Brabant, but our playing field has since expanded to the Netherlands and Flanders.
The VADO portfolio of companies consists of three clusters of companies:
- Cluster Metals & Plastics Supply Companies that develop and produce components and modules for leading OEMs and players in various end markets;
- Cluster Machinery & Equipment Manufacturing with companies that produce complex and high-quality systems and products;
- Cluster Specialist Companies that, with their unique expertise, experience or technology, are able to achieve market leadership in a niche.
We apply the following investment criteria:
- Head office in the Netherlands or Flanders;
- EBITDA sweet spot between €1 million and €10 million;
- Healthy, mature companies with committed management;
- Majority interest, preferably 100% (initial minority with path to >80% negotiable);
- Investment themes: Growth financing and/or buy & build and further professionalisation.
SME-sized companies
The turnover of the companies in which we invest is usually in the range of 5 to 50 million euros. Big enough to be a professional and defining player in a niche. Small enough to respond quickly and flexibly to opportunities and developments and to make quick decisions via short lines of communication.
The seller? Often the owner-director
The SME size of the company means that the seller and shareholder of the company is often the managing director. We prefer it if he or she wants to stay on board for a number of years after the sale, however, sometimes a new director has to be found because the previous owner wants to retire to pursue other things.
The added value of VADO
The people at VADO have experience in and knowledge of the manufacturing industry. This means that VADO can easily identify with the typical opportunities and issues of a manufacturing company. We are keen to consult with the management of a company about an eventual change of strategy, adaptation of the organisation, investments in R&D or production resources. The expansion of a company through acquisitions is also a regular topic, such as by implementing a buy & build strategy. End markets of our current companies include semiconductors, medical, analytical, pharma, food, transport, defence, energy and intra-logistics. We are particularly interested in companies that serve these or other structurally growing end markets.