ANNUAL REPORT 2007 | 2008 - Gimv

HVEG – (LowLand Fashion)
www.lowlandfashion.nl
LowLand Fashion, which recently changed its name to HVEG,
has been active in the Netherlands since 1989 as a wholesaler
and importer of women’s, men’s, children’s and baby clothing.
The clothing is sold under private labels to large retail chains
and purchasing organizations in Europe. Having all processes,
from design to sales, under its own control allows HVEG to offer
its customers total service and fl exibility and very sharp value
for money. In 2007 it acquired three fashion accessory chains:
Belt Fashion, Wink Accessoires and Debo. HVEG has facilities
in the Netherlands, Germany, China and Bangladesh. The group
has 275 employees and achieved sales of EUR 150 million in
2007.
DIVESTMENTS
Bever Zwerfsport
www.bever.nl
Bever Zwerfsport is the specialist and market leader in the
Netherlands for outdoor articles and accessories. The outdoor
chain sells a wide range of clothing, footwear other articles
from internationally reputed brands for outdoor activities like
expeditions, mountaineering and camping. In thirty years the
company has, with 29 subsidiaries, acquired a leading position
on the Dutch market. Bever’s cast iron concept of offering a
wide range of quality articles with good value for money and
a customer-directed approach, has made the outdoor market
accessible to a broad Dutch public. In September 2007 Gimv
sold its shareholding to AS Adventure, another company in the
sector. AS Adventure is the clear market leader in Belgium,
with a strong foothold also in Great Britain through Cotswold
Outdoor.
Geveke
www.geveke.nl
Geveke is an industrial service provider with more than
125 years’ experience. The Dutch company offers know-how
intensive processing apparatus to the oil and gas industry
and to the chemicals, petrochemicals and industrial market in
the Benelux and South-East Asia. Geveke operates in various
business departments – pumps, compressed air technology,
climate technology, plastics technology and internal transportation
– each with its own product offering and marketing. In these
fi elds the company represents various internationally-known
brands. Besides selling new units, Geveke also supplies spare
parts and carries out maintenance for its customers. In 2007,
Geveke had consolidated sales of around EUR 70 million. ABN
AMRO Participaties acquired Gimv’s majority shareholding in
December 2007.
HEBU
www.hebu.nl
HEBU, founded in 1940, is the Dutch market leader in hoses,
pipes and accessories for hydraulic systems. For its service
activities HEBU maintains a network of outlets each with its
own workplaces and warehouses. The company has seventeen
outlets in the Netherlands and Belgium and ten mobile service
buses for on-site repairs. Logistics, tailored quality, expert advice
and service, speed and fl exibility are key concepts for the company.
In 2007 HEBU posted sales in excess of EUR 25 million
with 115 employees. In January Gimv sold its shareholding to
Manuli, an Italian enterprise that is HEBU’s strongest supplier.
| 31