28 May 2024
News
14 September 2023
Van Loon Group and Q-group join forces
Van Loon Group and Q-group announce that they are joining forces. Sharing each other’s knowledge and experience in meat and convenience for foodservice and retail will enable the companies to better adapt to the rapidly changing demands of the market. Together, they expect to be able to grow significantly in the Benelux.
Family businesses
Over the past 50 years, the East-Flanders Q-group company, which is owned by the De Bruycker family, has become a market leader in the Belgian foodservice sector. Today, Q-group sells, produces and distributes meat products, cold meats and meat substitutes to over 2,000 large caterers.
Dutch East-Brabant family business, Van Loon Group, is market leader in meat and convenience. Every day, Van Loon Group brings the best, tastiest and most innovative products to the Dutch consumer via retail and foodservice.
A phased participation
In a phased participation of Van Loon Group in Q-group, Van Loon Group will first acquire a minority stake and ultimately takeover the remaining shares, resulting in 100% ownership of Q-group over a period of five years.
Guy de Bruycker, Executive President of Q-group: “We can’t ignore the challenges that lie ahead. The intensive collaboration with a large player such as Van Loon Group, will enable us to realise our path of further professionalisation quicker and more efficiently, to the benefit of all our stakeholders (employees, customers, suppliers). This joining of forces will enable Q-group to grow further and to strengthen its market position.”
The board members and management of Q-group, as well as the active shareholders of the De Bruycker family, will continue to operate independently. This international collaboration is an important milestone in the history of the two family businesses, who both recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Erik van Loon, Owner and Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Van Loon Group:
“Van Loon Group has faith in the abilities of Q-Group and its employees, and looks forward to the future together. This collaboration enables us to gain an attractive position in the Belgian foodservice market.”
Subject to approval of the Belgian Competition Authority
The proposed transaction is expected to be completed in the coming months, subject to approval by the Belgian Competition Authority. No announcements will be made about the regarding details of this collaboration.
