CDM GROUP prepares for further worldwide expansion

SAFFELBERG INVESTMENTS BECOMES STRATEGIC FINANCIAL PARTNER

Brussels, 3 November 2009 - CDM Group (www.cdm.be) with headquarters in Overijse - Belgium, is a technological leader in noise and vibration control systems in building, industry and railway applications and pioneering in this niche market since 1951.  In order to aggressively pursue its growth strategy, the Group has now attracted Saffelberg Investments as a strategic financial partner.

CDM Group is a vertically integrated company, specialized in the design, production and implementation of vibration isolation systems, used in buildings (floating floors, building base isolation, suspension elements and more), machinery and railway infrastructure (noise, vibration and electrical isolation systems for tram, metro and trains). The Group has its own revalorization plant for end-of-life tires, where it produces most of its rubber raw materials in that way controlling the full value chain.

As such, the Group provides solutions to enhance acoustic and vibration comfort by using sustainable technologies in attractive and promising segments with growth potential such as public transport and buildings in urban environment.

The Group sees growth in 3 dimensions: geographical expansion with focus on the Americas and the Middle East, the continuing revival of public transport in urban environment and the sociological trend of re-urbanization creating need for comfortable dwellings and offices.

The Group has at present 90 employees in Belgium (HQ), Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal (+Brazil), Poland, Spain, Switzerland and UK and is aiming for a group turnover in 2009 of 25 million EUR.

Saffelberg Investments (www.saffelberg.com) has joined CDM Group as strategic financial partner in order to sustain the above mentioned growth potential. 

CDM Group CEO Patrick Carels: "Saffelberg Investments will assist us in the further development of our worldwide activities ensuring continuation of our technological leadership in noise and vibration control. This partnership will offer us new possibilities for growth. During the negotiations, we found that Saffelberg shares our values and entrepreneurial vision and supports our international ambitions."

Saffelberg Investments CEO Jos Sluys: "CDM Group meets all our key investment criteria: a strong and committed management team, operating a vertically integrated business in a market with attractive long-term growth potential. CDM is a Belgian company with a global presence serving customers world-wide. We believe that the Group will be able to double its size within the next five years, thus becoming an undisputed market leader."

For more information

Patrick Carels    

CEO - CDM Group

patrick.carels@cdm.be

GSM: +32 475 477 046

http://www.cdm.be

About Saffelberg Investments:

Saffelberg Investments is an independent financial and industrial holding company with a 250 million EUR capital base. Saffelberg Investments focuses on long term investments by taking both majority stakes and substantial minorities in fast-growing ventures through risk-bearing capital. Active across Europe, we participate in corporations operating in diverse sectors through equity and/or mezzanine financing.

Interview with Jos Sluys in Trends Magazine

January 7, 2010 - Jos Sluys talks about the investment philosophy behind Saffelberg Investments.

Pdf Interview

Saffelberg Investments becomes strategic shareholder in Gemaco Group

Brussels, 8 July 2009 - Gemaco Group (www.gemaco-group.com) has strengthened its leading market position in the promotional merchandising sector by attracting Saffelberg Investments (www.saffelberg.com) as shareholder and strategic partner. With this transaction, Saffelberg has now become a 45% shareholder of the group. Managing Director Olivier Somers, together with the current management team, will remain at the helm of the group. KBC Securities successfully closed the transaction.

Gemaco has been a market leader in promotional items and advertising gifts for 30 years.

The group manages the value chain from beginning to end: from marketing strategy and product conception to production and handling, to warehousing and fulfillment. In order to achieve its ends, the group has built up a solid sourcing network in the Far East and a comprehensive logistics network in Europe. The group annually invests in its own growth, above all in innovation and in the expansion of its international partnerships. Additionally, the commercial team around Didier Cortois and Peggy Cortois is continually being fortified.

The group has 50 employees and is aiming for a group turnover in 2009 of more than 20 million EUR with healthy profitability and a solid balance sheet.

Managing Director Olivier Somers: "We are very proud that in spite of the current financial crisis, a number of investors have shown interest in expanding our group. With Saffelberg, we are not only bringing on board a shareholder that offers us new possibilities for growth but one that also shares our entrepreneurial vision. We are convinced that the group will see even more growth in the years to come."

The new Chairman of Gemaco Group is Luc Osselaer: "In a market segment where everything revolves around creativity, sourcing and customer satisfaction, Olivier and his team have brought the Group to a position where it is clearly the most professional player in Europe. Talks with clients have shown that a win/win partnership is possible in the long term, provided that product and service quality remain consistently high. Saffelberg is convinced that Gemaco will become the cream of the crop in our portfolio."

For more information Oliver Somers Managing Director Gemaco Group olivier@gemaco-group.com +32 475 47 23 21

About Gemaco Group: Gemaco was founded in 1973. Today, the group works for a wide variety of national and international clients from diverse sectors ranging from fast-moving consumer goods to the financial sector. Clients choose Gemaco as partner for the Group's custom-made promotional items, standard items, textiles, full-service program or business gifts.

Depending on the nature of the requirement, Gemaco is responsible for the research, concept and design, as well as the handling and/or warehousing. The warehousing either takes place in-house or in cooperation with external logistics partners.

A forerunner in the promotional items and business gift sector, Gemaco was one of the first companies to set itself up in the Far East.  Today, the AsiaPremiums division has its own purchase, production and quality control facility in Hangzhou (China). For Gemaco, this expansion and innovation goes hand in hand with respect for local social and environmental regulations. Our AsiaPremiums division conducts regular on-site audits several times per year and thanks to its extensive local network can ensure the best quality, price and service. In addition, Gemaco has a broad network of suppliers in Europe.

Gemaco is also member of the organisations WAGE (World Advertising Gift Exchange) and BAPP (Belgian Association of Promotional Products).

About Saffelberg: Saffelberg Investments is an independent financial and industrial holding company with a 250 million EUR capital base. Saffelberg Investments focuses on long term investments by taking both majority stakes and substantial minorities in fast-growing ventures through risk-bearing capital. Active across Europe, we participate in corporations operating in diverse sectors through equity and/or mezzanine financing