Kekkilä-BVB has signed an agreement to acquire German companies Brill Substrate and Brill Papenburg Logistics. The business to be acquired comprises of a German-based factory for the production of professional growing media for the Central European market, and an own port and terminal area in Papenburg, Germany, on the Ems river. Brill Substrates also owns 50% of a growing media factory in Italy and has its own sales company in France.
Brill Substrate and Brill Papenburg Logistics have a combined turnover of more than €25 million and they employ more than 60 people. These figures do not include the turnover and staff of the Italian unit. After the acquisition, Kekkilä-BVB´s turnover will be €350 million and will employ over 600 people.
Kekkilä-BVB operates in 11 countries and exports already cover more than 100 countries. “This transaction will strengthen our foothold in the major European markets of Germany, Italy, and France," says Mr. Juha Mäkinen, CEO of Kekkilä-BVB.
Brill Substrate's position as a supplier of growing media, especially for young vegetable plants and seedlings, is a good support for the product range of Kekkilä-BVB's twelve growing media factories. "Having our own port and terminal area will enhance Kekkilä-BVB’s operational efficiency of raw materials to own Central European production units and partners. We believe that by combining our strengths in production, distribution, and sales, we will be able to boost our sales throughout Central Europe. We are also pleased to have Brill employees supporting the success of Kekkilä-BVB, as well as including Brill and TerraBRILL brands in our brand portfolio,” says Mr. Mäkinen.
Horticultural engineer Gerrit Brill, longtime sole owner and Managing Director of Gebr. Brill Substrate GmbH & Co. KG, explains: “This is the best possible way forward for the continuity of our family business Gebr. Brill Substrate and the affiliated company Brill Papenburg Logistics under a new strong roof. Kekkilä-BVB has a reliable and highly professional reputation in the market. We have prepared the companies well for the deal and for the coming months so that our employees and customers can start the new season and the further future with confidence."
