Benelux

3i has been an active investor in Dutch and Belgian businesses since we opened our Amsterdam office in 1998.

We work with great management teams in established businesses to help them deliver high growth, operational improvement and exceptional value. We have a particularly successful track record in supporting ‘buy and build’ strategies, helping our portfolio partners to grow through targeted acquisitions and international expansion.

Through our sector insight, we add value to the companies we partner at strategic and operational levels. We use our international network and contacts to provide a depth of market and industry insight and knowledge that is essential for business expansion. In addition, we introduce businesses to experienced industrialists and expert advisers, who offer access to the latest industry and market perspectives and help identify new strategies for success.

Our recent investments include the buyout of Element Materials Technology (formerly SMT), the international materials testing services business and our minority investment in Refresco, the leading manufacturer of soft drinks and juices.

Related information

Buyouts

Growth Capital

Related companies

Hyva

Refresco

VNU Media

Related press releases

3i continues testing and inspection momentum with investment in Stork Materials Technology

3i invests for a minority share in Refresco

3i sells Hyva to Unitas Capital

Our Benelux investment team includes 8 investment professionals, operating from our office in Amsterdam dedicated to identifying investment opportunities in both the Netherlands and Belgium.

Led by Menno Antal, the team works as one with 3i’s wider network across Europe, Asia and the US, assembling the most experienced and customised deal team for each investment opportunity we assess.

The Benelux investment team is experienced in a wide range of industry sectors and draws from a range of backgrounds, including private equity, consulting, banking and industry.

We partner with established businesses where our market insight, industry perspective and experience can help management teams to achieve growth, operational improvements and exceptional value:

Buyouts (typical enterprise value up to €500m)
We acquire majority holdings in established, mid-cap companies that have outstanding management teams and excellent prospects for growth. Often we help existing management teams to acquire the business they work for, enabling the spin-out of a non-core division from a multinational company or supporting preparations for an IPO.
Growth Capital (minority stakes - typical invests in businesses with an enterprise value of up to and around €500m)
Our Growth Capital business is the world’s leading dedicated growth investor. We invest in privately-owned, high growth, profitable international businesses across Europe, Asia and North America. Typically we invest up to €150m in businesses with an enterprise value of up to and around €500m, taking a non-controlling minority stake. Once we have invested, we are committed to working in partnership to help our investee companies build exceptional businesses.