Koninklijke Hesselink B.V.

Jochem was, among other roles, the financial director at Electrabel. After his active career, he did not sit still. For the Project Uitzending Managers (PUM), he advised organizations in Armenia, Swaziland, and Ukraine. In 2014, an emotional project crossed his path in his close environment: Koninklijke Hesselink from Zutphen. After the death of the befriended managing director and owner, Wybenga, together with Rembrandt Mergers & Acquisitions, was at the foundation of the successful sale of this family business.

Jochem: "A beautiful name in the Salland region, active in tombstones for 109 years. The main markets were Gelderland and Overijssel, but also Friesland and the western part of the country. Imagine: a storage hall with 700 tons of granite from India, China, South Africa. An impressive natural product that is cut, polished, and engraved in Zutphen by 12 employees with a lot of love and craftsmanship."

"The tombstone sector had been in a phase of restructuring for years. The number of cremations is increasing and forms an ever-growing percentage of funerals, leading to less demand for gravestones. Before we could proceed with the sale, there was work to be done. It took a lot of energy to get a clear picture of the company's financial situation. Together with a prospective acquisition candidate in the role of interim director, I started in the fall of 2014."

"After we implemented necessary reorganization measures, including divesting inventory and partially selling the company premises, the interim director suddenly withdrew as a potential buyer at the end of 2015, meaning a new acquisition candidate had to be found. And believe me, you can't manage such a thing on your own. Rembrandt Mergers & Acquisitions had previously guided me in a similar process, so a phone call was quickly made."

"In a sales process, a lot comes your way. You have to prepare a company profile, the annual accounts need to be prepared and audited, and so on. The guys from Rembrandt take a lot of work off your hands and keep you on your toes. They ensure that historical figures and forecasts are well presented, know the right specialists such as lawyers, and, due to their liaison with Rabobank, are also well-versed in banking possibilities."

"The plan to place the company somewhere and leave the heirs well taken care of succeeded. We found an informal investor who saw the acquisition of Hesselink as a great opportunity for a family member. This person was already active in the tombstone sector. Then everything moved quickly: Rembrandt conducted the negotiations, coordinated the due diligence, and ensured that a sales agreement was drafted. Rembrandt carried out its tasks with utmost efficiency, fitting the situation. The new director now leads the company with a lot of knowledge and dedication. And for Mrs. Hesselink and the staff, a turbulent period has come to an end."

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