Fortaleza Capital acted as exclusive corporate finance adviser to the shareholders of MIBOX on the sale of the company to Van De Velde Packaging Group

Transaction background: The shareholders of MIBOX have reached an agreement for the sale of 100% of the share capital of MIBOX to Van De Velde Packaging Group. For Van De Velde Packaging the acquisition fits seamlessly into its ambition to grow its footprint as developer and producer of packaging machines for diverse types of cardboard. Combining the companies into one strong organisation offers the group new opportunities to respond even better to the growing market demand for packaging machines that can process cardboard packaging.

André Spaans and Yannick Layer, former owners of MIBOX, about the transaction: “We are proud that MIBOX has joined Van De Velde Packaging Group, which already has a strong presence in packaging machines through its subsidiary Schut Systems. The extensive expertise and track record of both MIBOX and Schut Systems will contribute to the joint further development of our strong market position in packaging machines for cardboard packaging. Importantly, Van De Velde Packaging Group’s international customer portfolio, scale and ambitions provide MIBOX with long-term continuity, new growth opportunities and access to the group’s broad experience and expertise.”

About MIBOX: MIBOX has more than 25 years of experience in designing and manufacturing machines for gluing and erecting corrugated cardboard trays. The company offers a complete range of multi-format tray folding solutions for industrial packaging lines and also a stacker for making stacks of folded and glued trays from its box erectors. The machines are developed, manufactured and marketed by MIBOX SARL at its factory and sales office in Vitré (France). The company has additional European presence through its subsidiaries Multibox International based in Terschuur (the Netherlands) and MIBOX Polska based in Ustanów (Poland).

MIBOX stands for robustness and reliability and continuously invests in the further development of its high-quality packaging machines that can set up large volumes and always fold and glue the trays perfectly with an extremely high production speed. More than 200 production companies in Europe are equipped with the latest machines from the MIBOX series, predominantly in the food processing industry, the fruit and vegetables market but also in logistics and manufacturing.

MIBOX will continue to serve its customers in its familiar way from its locations in France, the Netherlands and Poland and its current management team will remain responsible for daily business operations.

About Van De Velde Packaging Group: Van De Velde Packaging Group produces folding carton packaging, cups and microflute packaging, stickers, cards and catalogues, solid cardboard packaging and packaging machines. The group currently has 16 branches in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland, Turkey and Italy. In addition to the aforementioned countries, the group’s sales organisation also encompasses Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Van De Velde Packaging Group has approximately 1,285 employees and the acquisition of MIBOX adds another 25 employees.