Silverfleet invests in STAXS®, the Benelux leader in cleanroom consumables distribution

STAXS® is a value-added distributor of leading cleanroom consumables brands including its own DOTCH® brand

Silverfleet Capital, the leading Pan-European private equity firm, has acquired a majority stake in STAXS Contamination Control Experts (“STAXS®” or the “Company”), the Benelux leader in value-added distribution of consumable products for cleanrooms in the Life Sciences and other industries. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The acquisition of STAXS® was executed by Silverfleet’s dedicated lower mid-market investment team and was financed in part by the European Investment Fund.

Founded in 1995 and based in Heerenveen, The Netherlands, STAXS® also operates from two Belgian locations in Niel and Aartselaar. The Company is a leading value-added distributor of cleanroom consumables, supplying top-quality disinfectants & detergents, wipes, cleaning tools, gloves and disposable garments, whilst also offering laundry services of cleanroom garments. As a market leading contamination control expert, it has built an excellent reputation for quality and reliability. As preferred partner for contamination control, the Company has a strong and loyal customer base in the Netherlands and Belgium and selectively sells into other geographies. The vast majority of its customers are in the Life Sciences industry.

Silverfleet Capital’s investment will enable STAXS® to continue its strong growth trajectory by expanding its product range, customer base and geographic reach, as well as helping to build out the organisation. Initial projects include expanding the Heerenveen premises to increase capacity, partly to accommodate the increasing volumes of products sold under its own brand, DOTCH®. Additionally, Silverfleet will apply its extensive expertise in the Healthcare sector having made several successful prior investments including a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing business, and a contract sterilisation services company.

Alex Brebbia, Partner at Silverfleet Capital who co-heads Silverfleet’s activities in the lower mid-market, commented: “STAXS® is a high quality, well-positioned business with a strong reputation and close customer relationships. We have got to know the company and its current shareholders over a long period of time and are excited by the prospect of working closely with CEO Johan-Detlef Dubbelboer, his management team and employees to support them through in fulfilling STAXS’s growth potential.”

Erik Fuchs, who co-heads Silverfleet’s activities in the Benelux region and is based in Amsterdam added: “Our investment in STAXS® underlines Silverfleet’s ongoing commitment to the Benelux region and we look forward to supporting the further internationalisation of this Benelux market leader”.

Johan-Detlef Dubbelboer, CEO of STAXS® stated: “Ever since the business was founded in 1995 by Wolter Zandberg, STAXS® has focused on being the preferred partner for our customers in the area of contamination control. Having led the Company since 2007, I now look forward to partnering with Silverfleet and leading STAXS® through its next phase of growth. Silverfleet Capital has a significant and longstanding reputation for helping European businesses grow internationally. I am convinced that with their support and substantial experience in the Healthcare sector, we can successfully achieve our goals and develop the company further.”

The Silverfleet Capital team that worked on the transaction included Alex Brebbia, Erik Fuchs and Peter Kisenyi.

Silverfleet was advised by Deloitte (financial & tax), CIL (commercial), Stek (legal, corporate and banking), and AJ Gallagher (insurance).