Press release
Bato Plastics, specialist (bio)plastic horticultural products, acquires industry partner Tomatenhakenwikkelbedrijf van den Wijngaart
Eindhoven, 2 November 2021 – Plastics producer Bato Plastics, which is included in the portfolio of investment company VADO from Eindhoven, has acquired its industry partner Tomatenhakenwikkelbedrijf van den Wijngaart (TvdW). Headquartered in Galder, TvdW develops custom-wound tomato hooks that are used worldwide, particularly in tomato cultivation. Every year, TvdW produces almost 30 million wound tomato hooks, making TvdW a top global player in its segment.
Bato is an internationally active Dutch horticultural supplier, specialized in the development and production of (bio)plastic horticultural products. Thousands of growers in the vegetable, soft fruit and floriculture sector use Bato’s innovative solutions each day. For example, truss brackets, clips, substrate trays and (ornamental) pots. Since 2001, Bato products are also made of biodegradable and compostable material. This makes the TvdW product range an excellent addition to the Bato portfolio.
Aart Fortanier, CEO of VADO, is enthusiastic about the acquisition of TvdW by its portfolio company Bato. “This acquisition is a good illustration of our vision and how we work. Mainly, we look at innovative, technical (manufacturing) companies. TvdW is a healthy family-run business with a complementary, innovative product that fits perfectly with Bato’s activities and customer base. It’s a fantastic example of a buy-and-build strategy that benefits both parties,” explains Fortanier.
Gert-Jan Spierings, managing director of Bato, sees important advantages in the merger of the two companies: “We share the same philosophy that belongs to a family-run business. In other words, we both look mainly at healthy growth in the longer term. Whilst looking out for our customers and our employees. We develop sustainable products, which will combine beautifully. For example, the tomato plants grow along TvdW’s biodegradable twine and are attached with Bato’s bio-based and compostable clips. This is also a form of sustainable entrepreneurship, which we will increasingly repeat in the coming years. In addition, it’s easier for our customers to purchase a range of products from one company. It is important to be a frontrunner in these developments.”
About Tomatenhakenwikkelbedrijf van den Wijngaart
Tomatenhakenwikkelbedrijf van den Wijngaart (TvdW) is a leading company in the field of wound tomato hooks custom-made for customers. The wound hooks are used by (inter)national companies that are active in tomato cultivation. Over the past decades, the company has grown into a significant market player, producing nearly 30 million wound tomato hooks annually. The company currently operates from its original location in Galder. In the second quarter of 2022, TvdW will be physically integrated with Bato in Zevenbergen, the Netherlands.
More information: www.hogedraadhaak.nl