Group MC in Hasselt, Belgium together with Oprins Plant's management, acquire the shares of the Oprins family. Oprins Plant is a nursery in Rijkevorsel, Belgium with a strong position in non-invasive bamboo, remarkable hydrangeas, and Ilex crenata as an alternative to Buxus. The company was founded in 1991 by Jan and Paul Oprins together with Chantal Quirynen and became a successful player in the European ornamental industry.
The horticulture and ornamental industry is undergoing an evolution that is driven by industry consolidation, technology, and new markets and outlets. To respond to these changes, the Oprins family and management, under the guidance of the M&A firm Capitalize, have sought a strategic partner to translate its vision into an ambitious growth plan and thus stimulate geographical expansion. With the extension of 270,000 ft² of new greenhouses in Rijkevorsel - designed according to the latest standards and technology to ensure optimal growing conditions - the first step has already been taken in the adaptation and deployment of the growth strategy.
According to Oprins Plant, they have a number of assets to grow strongly in Europe and beyond. They are specialized in industrial in vitro propagation of bamboo and in a select part of the plant range.
Therefore, Oprins Plant has been rebranded as Plant Select, which is in line with its main product categories consisting of Bamboo Select, Ilex Select, and Hydrangea Select. Plant Select has 4 production facilities where a team of 50 employees produces more than a million plants every year. These find their way to customers all over Europe through landscapers and gardeners, garden centers, hardware stores, supermarkets, and increasingly through online retail.
Wouter Marques, CEO of Plant Select, is excited about the new collaboration with Group MC: “The professionalization and support they will provide will enhance the growth process. Many plants in European gardens originate from Rijkevorsel, and Plant Select has the ambition to be able to contribute many more ornamentals in the future.”
Willem Broux, CEO of Group MC, endorses the drive and growth strategy of management and Plant Select: “The combination of selective product categories and being a forerunner in the field of in vitro propagation put the company in a position to realize a good growth trajectory. The integration of the knowledge and experience of management and the investors is therefore an ideal combination for the future. With the new shareholder structure of Plant Select, the company also retains the family aspect with the potential to grow even further. This is in line with Group MC's value "family owned, professionally managed".
Group MC is a family-owned investment company that provides venture and growth capital to small and medium-sized enterprises with ambitious growth plans. Investing from entrepreneurship and with long-term commitment form the basis of our investments. For Group MC, the investment in Plant Select, in addition to Carolus Trees and ABCz Group, is their third equity participation in the agricultural and horticultural industry.
For more information:
Plant Select
Wouter Marques
E: wm@plantselect.be
T: +32 478 502 419
www.plantselect.be
Group MC
Willem Broux
E: Willem.broux@groupmc.be
T: +32 473 611 742
www.groupmc.be