Accell Group N.V. has agreed to acquire of all shares in Van Nicholas, a high-end niche player in titanium bicycles and frames.


This Dutch company, based in Numansdorp, will fall under the management of Accell Group’s subsidiary Koga whose knowledge and logistical expertise will fully exploit the international growth potential of Van Nicholas. The Van Nicholas titanium bicycles and frames will retain their own brand name and identity.

 

The acquisition is financed with Accell Group’s own resources and will immediately make a positive contribution to its earnings per share.


 Van Nicholas and Koga are in a similar phases of growth in an attractive high-end market segment,” said René Takens, CEO of Accell Group. “Koga will develop and lead the rollout of Van Nicholas’s international strategy. The acquisition additionally provides valuable know-how which we can deploy in R&D across the whole group. Van Nicholas is a high-end niche player which has grown swiftly in recent years to a turnover of several million euro’s with very healthy margins. The company is an excellent fit with our portfolio and strategy.’’

Koga Managing Director Wouter Jager said titanium is one of the most attractive materials for a high-quality frame, but requires special knowledge. “That is exactly what Van Nicholas has to offer,” he said. “The brand has manifested itself as a major player in the high-end segment in a short period of time. The cooperation between Koga en Van Nicholas offers great synergies which enables us to accelerate international growth to our customers in the top-end segment who can now also choose titanium as an alternative for aluminum or carbon.’’


Van Nicholas Founder and Owner Jan-Willem Sintnicolaas said the deal will allow him to focus on his passion of developing appealing titanium frames and bicycles.


“We have grown fast in the last few years in which I have spent a lot of time on management tasks,” Sintniclaas said. “The acquisition ensures a long-term commitment between the brand and myself. For years, Accell Group proves to be the frontrunner in logistics and in the development of branding and marketing of high quality bicycles. With Koga there is a perfect match.”

Van Nicholas is specialized in the development, development, design and assembly of titanium bicycles (mountain bikes, racing bikes and touring bikes). Each Van Nicholas titanium bike is handmade in the production facility in Numansdorp. Titanium has the advantage that it is 30% stronger than steel, much lighter and unlike aluminum and steel does not corrode. In comparison with carbon, titanium is also more ‘flexible’ and as a result will not ‘snap’.