“About four brothers and an investor”
Door
Daan, Henry, Dick en Albert Deij
Datum
6 March, 2023
In het kort
Arpentus had the privilage of connecting this wonderful family business with a reliable investor.
With four brothers at the helm, the crane rental company BKV can rightfully be called a family business. The takeover was concocted around the kitchen table of the Deij family a quarter of a century ago. Now, Daan, Henry, Dick, and Albert find themselves sitting at the table once again, with a fifth owner recently joining the ranks, albeit behind the scenes.
Arpentus, a sister company of Visser & Visser, guided the sale to a non-family co-owner. It was no ordinary task, with four brothers as owners at the table, and the quest for a partner that would allow BKV to remain BKV. Intense negotiations ensued. “Arpentus was able to demonstrate their values,” winks Daan, the oldest of the four at 57, who took the lead in the negotiations. “Arpentus guided us from the very beginning. Not just cold and business-like – but warmly, with a focus on the human aspect. They weren’t looking for a quick deal but rather a sustainable outcome.”
No successors
This evaluation of Arpentus receives unanimous approval from the brothers, aged 55, 52, and 47, respectively. Thinking about the long term is exactly what all four had in mind. BKV’s continuity was the paramount concern. “Around seven years ago, Daan, the eldest, raised the issue of business succession,” says Albert. “We foresaw that we wouldn’t have successors within the family, and that’s when you need to plan ahead. We’ve seen plenty of examples of entrepreneurs who kept working endlessly and ultimately failed to pass on their business properly. We wanted to work on a solution in advance.”
Ensuring continuity
However, thinking about it is one thing, and taking action is another. Several years passed without anything happening until three years ago when discussions about BKV’s future resurfaced. “These things need to mature,” says Henry. “You have to get used to the idea, incubate it. But at some point, we said to each other: now we really need to do something.”
No, the four brothers didn’t want to sell off and step away from BKV. That was clear from the outset. They felt too deeply connected to the company and its employees. Their primary goal was to ensure the company’s continuity. “Even in case one of us became unable to continue,” says Daan. “Although we still feel young, we are getting older. If you haven’t arranged anything, it will affect the business
“Arpentus has been able to demonstrate what they stand for”
The best solution
After several discussions with potential buyers, under the guidance of Arpentus, it became clear what the best solution would be. The sale of a portion of the shares to an investment company. Not quick profit-seekers looking to resell, but rather a party working behind the scenes that values and intends to preserve the family business’s character. “Arpentus understood what was important to us,” the brothers believe. “With patience and perseverance, they pursued those interests, even when negotiations got tough. It was somewhat like a relationship. First, you date the potential buyer and get to know each other. Then, you get engaged, and ultimately, you get married. The signatures are set.” “With one difference,” Dick jokes. “When I got married, I didn’t need lawyers with an hourly rate that could rent our largest cranes.”
BKV remains BKV
The four brothers are delighted with the solution they found. They continue to be co-owners of BKV. However, the responsibility of ownership is now shared among more individuals. The “Barneveldse Kraanverhuur” yellow and blue remains not only visible but also runs through their veins. In this regard, not much changes for the brothers. “The morning after the signing, my alarm clock went off just as usual,” says Albert. “I continue to go to work with a spring in my step, just as before,” says Henry. “It’s all behind us now,” says Dick matter-of-factly. In the words of Daan: “We’re back to doing our thing.” And there’s plenty to do at BKV, with a growing market demand, the future looks promising. BKV is ready for it.
