Carbon champagne, caviar, tuna and 200 top M&A professionals... A vibrant Concert Noble in Brussels as the backdrop for the event in the Belgian world of M&A, private equity and corporate finance.
Valerie Thys, dressed in a gold-colored evening dress, presented this evening with verve. After warmly welcoming the 200 guests, she invited Ezri Blaauw and Urbain Vandeurzen on stage to talk about the phenomenon called M&A Awards.
“Why an M&A Awards event in Belgium,” was Valerie's question to Ezri. The M&A Community Manager of Alex van Groningen BV had his answer ready. After speaking to numerous professionals in the sector, the conclusion was quickly reached. There is room in Belgium for the event, which has now become a fixture in the world of mergers and acquisitions in the Netherlands, according to Blaauw. Urbain Vandeurzen: "The time is simply right, this is the right moment to give M&A in Belgium a bigger stage.”
Peter De Keyzer
Then Peter De Keyzer, managing partner of Growth Inc. and former chief economist of BNP Paribas Fortis, appeared on stage. The keynote speaker during the dinner examined the developments between 2008 and 2018 (credit crisis, euro crisis, Brexit and the election of Trump). But first he looked back at history, at the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the start of globalization. In recent years, an opposite trend has emerged: de-globalization and the construction of new walls, said De Keyzer. "The Berlin Wall was built and demolished again. The walls that are now being built offer opportunities and sooner or later they will be demolished again. These are challenging times, but the world has seen them before. We will get through this again.”
Mid Cap Deal for H. Essers
The dinner was a great culinary feast. Without wanting to list the complete menu, we would like to mention the tuna tartare, the wild duck and the grand dessert. Flanked by the Pierre Henri Ma Reserve Chardonnay Viognier 2016 and the Don Diego Escolano Grand Reserva 2010.
And then the highlight of this Brussels evening, the presentation of the coveted Awards. First up: the prize for the best M&A deal Mid Cap. The takeover of Huktra NV by H. Essers ended up at the highest step. At first glance this may not seem like a special deal between two family businesses, but the jury is convinced that this represents a unique cultural and strategic 'fit' between the two key players.
The jury does not see the acquisition of Huktra as a standalone transaction, but as a logical part of the company's long-term strategy. Through this acquisition of Huktra, H. Essers further expresses its belief in its own sector and the possibilities for international expansion.
The jury therefore rewards these courageous choices and the strong belief in its own (acquisition) strategy with the M&A Award Best Mid Cap Deal. “It is important for our team that we now receive confirmation of this great transaction and the underlying strategy,” says Gert Bervoets on behalf of H. Essers, expressing the pride of his company. “And because it is a Belgian takeover, it also fits well culturally. The emotional aspect of both family businesses played an important role in this deal.”
Large Cap Deal for Fluxys
The M&A Award for the best Large Cap Deal went to the acquisition of Dunkirk LNG Terminal by Fluxys. A strategically complex acquisition, the jury concludes. The maximum result has been achieved through the creative method of financing. With a small amount on the balance sheet, a relatively small Belgian company has managed to acquire a controlling interest in Dunkirk LNG Terminal.
“We are extremely proud and have worked hard for this deal. And this LNG transaction is also good for Belgium”, said Pascal De Buck, CEO of Fluxys. According to the CEO, the future is promising: “A lot is happening in this sector and LNG plays an important role.”
This great evening was made possible by Dutch partners such as Alvarez & Marsal, Lincoln International, ING and Nielen Schuman. In addition to the M&A Awards event in the Netherlands, they are also directly behind the Belgian edition. Ansarada, provider of AI powered virtual data rooms, acted as main sponsor.
After the dinner, the winners were immortalized in a photo with their Award and that large bottle of champagne. After which it was time to close the official program of this Belgian M&A Award event. But only the official… Because in the party room, with music from the local DJ, it went on until the small hours. With dancing and a drink. And yes, of course there was also plenty of networking...
The six-member professional jury of the Belgian M&A Awards 2018 consisted of captains of industry and M&A experts: Urbain Vandeurzen (Chairman Panel of Judges and former CEO LMS & honorary chairman Voka), Professor Philippe Haspeslagh (Honorary Dean Vlerick Business School, chairman Ardo), Eric van Zele (formerly CEO Barco), Renaat Berckmoes (Partner Fortino Capital), Michaël Sephiha (De Tijd) and Pierre Demaerel (chairman of BVA).
