Team EIFFEL is broadening its horizons in its mission to guide governments and organisations towards a sustainable future. Alongside its successful growth strategy in the Netherlands, Team EIFFEL is exploring opportunities to expand its services across Europe. The transatlantic investment management firm TowerBrook Capital Partners (“TowerBrook”) will partner with existing shareholder Gilde Equity Management (“Gilde”) to help make this mission a success, subject to advice from the Central Works Council and approval from European competition authorities.
Success Story in the Netherlands
The success story of Team EIFFEL began over thirty years ago and accelerated when Gilde Equity Management acquired the business in 2018. Supported by Gilde Equity Management, Team EIFFEL experienced strong organic growth, whilst simultaneously acquiring a number of successful market players in the Netherlands. Today, Team EIFFEL operates as a specialist professional services provider for businesses and (local) governments, leveraging its expertise in fields such as legal, finance, project management, supply chain management, and data to deliver smart solutions for complex organisations.
As a now firmly established organisation of over 2,500 consultants, the Company is ready for the next phase of growth. Gert-Jan Meppelink, CEO, states: “With Gilde as a strong and committed shareholder, a dedicated, talented management team, a group of highly skilled expert consultants and sound strategic choices in brand, culture, and service, we have managed to grow to where we stand today. We aim to enhance our impact by not only continuing to grow in our home market but also by developing our service offering across Europe. We are pleased to welcome TowerBrook as a new shareholder and we are looking forward to delivering these ambitious plans together.”
New Partnership with Global Investment Firm
Gilde Equity Management has great confidence in Team EIFFEL’s future and remains engaged as a shareholder. Alongside Gilde, TowerBrook Capital Partners, the transatlantic investment management firm, is joining as a new majority shareholder to facilitate further growth in the Netherlands and expansion into international markets. TowerBrook has extensive experience in partnering with businesses that are growing strongly and profitably and supporting them in their next phase of growth. TowerBrook is the first mainstream private equity firm to be certified as a B Corporation, demonstrating leadership in its commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and responsible business practices.
Commenting on the acquisition, Joseph Knoll, Managing Director at TowerBrook, said: “We are very excited to partner with the Team EIFFEL management team and Gilde Equity Management for the next chapter of growth. We have been hugely impressed by the company’s market reputation, high quality service offering, management expertise and successful historical growth. We believe that TowerBrook is well-placed to support Team EIFFEL as it continues its expansion in the Netherlands and internationally.”
Gerhard Nordemann, Managing Partner at Gilde Equity Management, is also very pleased: “Team EIFFEL’s success in recent years is a true team achievement. We are very proud of the journey we have made together and look forward to entering a new growth phase, with TowerBrook as an absolute enhancement of the team.”
Team EIFFEL was advised by Citi (M&A), Simmons & Simmons (Legal), EY (Finance) and BCG (Commercial).
TowerBrook was advised by RBC (M&A), 1602 Corporate Finance (M&A), Roland Berger (Commercial), Alvarez & Marsal (Finance), Goodwin (Legal), and Loyens & Loeff (Legal).
