New Keystone Advisers transaction: Thule Group divest Brenderup Group

The investment fund Accent Equity 2012 has signed an agreement to acquire the entire trailer business from the Thule Group with company management as co-investors. Through the transaction a new entity, Brenderup Group, is being created, incorporating operations in the Nordic market and around Europe. The new group has 500 employees and sales in 2013 reached SEK 578 million (EUR 65 million). 

Brenderup Group is one of Europe’s leading providers of trailers for professional and semi-professional use as well as for consumers, with main focus on the Nordic, German and Polish markets and additional sales in other parts of Europe. In the Nordic countries the group also offers a market leading rental concept including trailer, service and administration tools to partners renting trailers to consumers as well as a one way trailer concept giving consumers in Sweden the opportunity to pick up a trailer at one location and returning it at another location. 

The parent company Brenderup Group AB is formed in conjunction with the transaction. Brenderup is the largest brand within the group and has high recognition in all of the group’s markets. The portfolio also includes well positioned local brands such as Fogelsta, Ellebi, Easyline and Thule Rental. 

Brenderup Group has manufacturing facilities in Jönköping (Sweden) and Wielen (Poland), an assembly operation in Norra Aaby (Denmark) as well as marketing and sales offices around Europe. Among the key customers are leading European specialized retailers, DIY chains and gas stations. 

Keystone acted as adviser to the seller Thule Group.