Rotterdam: Royal Burger Group announced last week that it has reached an agreement to sell its port agency activities in a full cash deal to investors represented by Karel Peters. The generated proceeds combined with shareholder investments allow Royal Burger Group to realize its long-term strategic goals of expanding present business units, which include liner agencies, logistic services and ferry businesses, the company said in a release. Coert Kleijwegt is taking over the helm as ceo of the Royal Burger Group.
According to Kleijwegt, the Royal Burger Group strategy is not just about growth in present business units. He says the company will actively look for investments to fit an ongoing buy and build strategy. As a result the company has decided to launch Royal Burger Investments. The investment firm will act as a family equity fund with focus on the maritime industry, aiming to grow a portfolio of about three to five investments.
“Royal Burger Group has existed for over 200 years and believes in long term investments,” Kleijwegt tells Maritime CEO. “The time for investment is both linked to price paid and income. Price today is low since income is low or negative. If we wait we pay more and higher income. We feel we have the strength and ability to develop and grow business based on synergies with our activities.”
Royal Burger Group is an independent liner agency and logistics services provider in Northwest Europe, going back to 1772. Royal Burger Group itself is part of the Cornelder group of companies that celebrates its 200 years anniversary this year. Cornelder also holds a stake in the port of Beira, the main transit port of East Africa, and a number of other non-maritime related investments.
“As a company we want to grow in more high value added services,” Kleijwegt says, listing equipment OEM with aftermarket services, rental of transport equipment or moving into NVO.
After his graduation as a maritime business engineer at Delft Technical University and serving the Royal Dutch Navy as an enlisted officer, Kleijwegt has worked in the maritime industry around the world.
Kleijwegt is experienced as a cargo broker, commercial and technical manager in the sectors of ship repair and vessel asset play. [30/04/14]
