MCF advised Deutsche See’s shareholders on the sale to Parlevliet & van der Plas
MCF advised the owners of Deutsche See Group (Deutsche See), Germany’s leading provider of fish and seafood for the German retail and gastronomy sectors, on selling their shares to the Parlevliet & van der Plas Group (P&P). Based in the Netherlands, P&P is an international fishing and seafood group that also operates in the German market. MCF facilitated all aspects of the transaction in a lean and discreet process resulting in the identification of a new strategic owner who embodies Deutsche See’s business profile and values.
The Deal
P&P is a family-run enterprise that was founded in 1949 and has since become a major player in the global fishing and processing industry with total sales exceeding EUR 1 billion. Headquartered in Katwijk in the Netherlands, P&P employs over 6,000 people worldwide and covers the entire value chain from fishing and seafood processing to marketing and distribution. P&P is committed to sustainable fishing and is a strong supporter of MSC certification.
Deutsche See will provide P&P access to new customers in the German market. The complementary value chain positioning of the two companies results in synergy potential through the combination of P&P’s sourcing capacities with Deutsche See’s capabilities in processing, marketing, and distribution. Due to its profound knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit and customer-oriented vision, Deutsche See offers a value-added proposition to P&P’s business and shall remain a stand-alone part within the Group under its current management.
The Target
With more than 1,700 employees and more than 35,000 customers, Deutsche See is Germany’s market leader for fish and seafood, operating three processing sites as well as 19 distribution centres across Germany. The company processes, refines, and distributes premium quality fish, seafood, delicacies and adjacent value-added specialties. In late 2013, Deutsche See also started distributing its products online. For its enduring efforts to conserve fish population, Deutsche See has been awarded the National German Sustainability Award.
Client Statement
Dr. Peter Dill, on behalf of the shareholders of Deutsche See, stated: “We are pleased with the outcome of the process that has been achieved in a smooth and discreet manner, which was important to us given the difficult situation as a result of the severe illness of my long-standing business partner Egbert Miebach. P&P offers a very good strategic fit and has been a great partner of Deutsche See for many years.”
The transaction remains subject to clearance from the German Federal Cartel Office.
