Accell Group Acquires Van Nicholas

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Van Nicholas, a high-end niche player in titanium bicycles and frames sold all its shares to Accell Group. Van Nicholas, based in Numansdorp, the Netherlands will report to the management of Accell Group’s subsidiary Koga. An Accell group press release on the take-over says, “Koga’s knowledge and logistical expertise will fully exploit the international growth potential of Van Nicholas.”

René Takens, CEO of Accell Group: “Van Nicholas and Koga are in similar phases of growth in an attractive high-end market segment. 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 euros with very healthy margins. The company is an excellent fit with our portfolio and strategy.”

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.

Wouter Jager, Managing Director Koga: “Titanium is one of the most attractive materials for a high-quality frame, but is requires specialist knowledge. That is exactly what Van Nicholas has to offer. 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.”

Jan-Willem Sintnicolaas, founder and owner of Van Nicholas: “I am very pleased with this deal, as it also enables me to fully focus on what I am really good at: developing appealing titanium frames and bicycles.We have grown fast in the last few years in which I have spend a lot of time on management tasks. 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 (www.vannicholas.com) is specialized in the development, design and assembly of titanium bicycles (mountain bikes, racing bikes and touring bikes). Having started in 1999 with titanium frames, the brand and the company Van Nicholas was founded in 2006. Each Van Nicholas titanium bike is handmade in the production facility in Numansdorp.