August 22, 2007

Dutch feed company De Heus acquires another feed business

Privately owned feed manufacturer De Heus, in The Netherlands is taking over another Dutch feed business of O. Bouman. The acquisition will add up to De Heus' production volume of 1.8 million tonnes.

The company claims a 15 percent share of the national market and 11 of its 19 feed plants are based in The Netherlands.

Managing director Co de Heus said the buyout was a strategy for the company's growth and expansion. 

Ten years ago the growth (by acquisition) strategy was effectuated by taking over feed manufacturers Brokking and Koudijs Wouda. Thereafter, it also purchased and Sondag Voeders and acquired Van Eck Veevoeders this year. Koudijs Feed in the Netherlands specialises in the export of concentrates, premixes, pre-starters, veal breading milk, pellet feed for piglets and other special feeds.

In Denmark the company sells mainly milk replacers through its subsidiary Bossprodukter. 

But not only in the Netherlands De Heus is taking over (family owned) feed manufacturers, the company has also a strong presence in Poland and Czech Republic (SKS). In Russia, feed is sold through the dealer network of MKorma.

Poland is the second largest market for De Heus Koudijs Hima with a production capacity of 700,000 tonnes and is expected to increase one million tonnes soon. Furthermore a joint venture with a feed company in Egypt has been established, named Koudijs Kapo. In China De Heus has a 15 percent share in a feed facility with an annual sale of 1 million tonnes (premixes, concentrates and complete feed). The company is now exploring opportunities in South Africa.