Our leadership team is on the road in Europe more and more. Jeroen van Herpen, Bob de Nijs, and Mark van der Burgt — together as the camper crew. From co-packer to co-packer, conversation to conversation. Scouting companies that fit our cross-border ambitions. It feels like an adventure at times, but in reality it’s purposeful mileage in our growth strategy. Mark takes you along for the ride.
International exploration is a key part of our strategy toward 2030. We’ve deliberately chosen to grow in three ways: organically, through business development, and through acquisitions. Not necessarily to get bigger, but to stay future-proof.
“We want to accelerate our growth to stay independent,” says Mark, our chief commercial officer. “We’re also looking at our clients, who increasingly want to simplify their supply chain. By adding Vetico companies in, say, England, Germany, and Eastern Europe, we’re building an international network. We can then serve clients from multiple locations as a one-stop shop.”
Axeco as the ‘navigator’
Hop in the camper — as we call our international tour internally — and hit the road? If only it were that simple. “Before we set off, we brought in Axeco as our ‘navigator,'” says Mark. “They’re a corporate finance boutique that helps companies grow, make acquisitions, and navigate strategic decisions. They researched promising co-packers abroad and built a longlist. Then we started making calls and planning our tours. Our collaboration with Axeco goes well beyond that, though.”
we've got a lot to offer,”
From England to Poland
England, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and – above all – Poland: Jeroen, Bob, and Mark have already met with companies in several countries. “We’ve been welcomed warmly by a lot of fellow co-packers,” says Mark. “One thing that stands out is how great the need for automation tends to be. And that’s exactly where we can add real value. We’ve got the knowledge, the experience, and our Innovation Center. We also see that entrepreneurs haven’t always thought about succession yet. We can offer them a great future – with continuity for employees, clients, and the organization. So we’re not just there to take; we’ve got a lot to offer, too. That creates real enthusiasm on the other side of the table.”
Plenty of momentum
The conversations are paying off, Mark finds. “We’re getting a much clearer picture of local markets and building some great relationships. We’re also getting to know companies quickly: from their culture and decision-making to how they do business. That helps us assess whether an acquisition is a good fit. We’re now in second and third conversations with several companies. And with one party, we’ve even put a concrete offer on the table. It’s a careful process, but there’s plenty of momentum.”
Intense and incredible
The trips abroad are vital to Vetico’s future. But they’re also just genuinely great adventures. Mark: “It’s intense: we’re constantly on the move, going from one meeting to the next. And it’s incredible at the same time, because we’re making amazing memories. We sat in a restaurant with a partner until 1:30 in the morning. They treated us to an eighteen-course dinner. A great story to tell when we’re old and gray.”
a first acquisition this year”
Moving forward
Progress calls for a next step. The months ahead will be all about following through. “Hopefully we can announce a first partnership or acquisition this year,” says Mark. “Either way: we’ve started a process that’s here to stay. The market is large and fragmented, so there are plenty of opportunities. Our goal is to bring a number of strong companies on board in the coming years. In other words: the camper‘s going back on the road – a lot.”
