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