Ghent (Belgium) – Funds advised by Gilde Buy Out Partners (‘Gilde’) are pleased to announce the acquisition of Oystershell NV (‘Oystershell’), a leading provider of innovative OTC consumer healthcare products. As the new reference shareholder Gilde intends to further support the company’s growth trajectory. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Oystershell, headquartered in Ghent (Belgium), is a rapidly growing OTC consumer healthcare company with core competences in R&D and product commercialization. Via research and development, Oystershell develops and improves OTC consumer healthcare products. Products are commercialized directly or in partnership with clients. Oystershell’s client base includes reference players in the OTC consumer healthcare market resulting in exports to more than 30 countries.
In order to support Oystershell during its next phase of growth, Oystershell has chosen to partner with Gilde, a well-established financial investor with a strong track record in developing mid-market companies. The new investor fully supports the growth strategy envisaged by the management of Oystershell, which centers on further internationalization and continued investment in product development across OTC segments.
Jan Cassiman, CEO of Oystershell:
“Over the past years Oystershell has grown extensively driven by increasing its focus on new product development and international commercialization of our products. Now, the Oystershell team is delighted to have Gilde as partner for the next growth phase of Oystershell. Together with Gilde we are confident to further increase revenues substantially, extend our innovation leadership and increase worldwide presence while intensifying our relationship with our current clients.”
Nicolas Linkens, Partner at Gilde, confirms:
“The acquisition of Oystershell represents an attractive investment opportunity in a player with leading positions in selected OTC niches. We are impressed with the way management has been able to build a strong platform through autonomous growth and are delighted at the prospect of working with management and supporting them in accelerating the execution of the company’s strategy.”
Oystershell laboratories
Oystershell laboratories is a world-class developer of innovative consumer healthcare products and is especially acknowledged for its success in the anti-lice and insects category, its new skin treatments such as for warts and several other important contributions to OTC pharma. The innovative product portfolio combines own brands and regional distribution agreements with major OTC players. Originally part of an industrial group, Oystershell resulted from the subsequent carve-out in 2002.
Gilde Buy Out Partners
Gilde Buy Out Partners is a leading European private equity investor in mid-market transactions with operations in the DACH region and the Benelux. Gilde manages funds in excess of EUR 3 billion and has offices in Zurich, Frankfurt, Utrecht and Brussels. Since its inception in 1982, Gilde has invested in over 250 companies across a diverse range of sectors. With EUR 1.1 billion, the current investment fund Gilde Buy-Out Fund V is among the largest dedicated mid-market buy-out investment funds in Europe. Gilde controls majority shareholdings in, amongst others, companies like Losberger, amor, t-groep, Royal Reesink, Comcave, Riri, TMC, Royal Ten Cate, Teleplan and Enkco. For more information, please visit www.gilde.com.
Contact details:
Oystershell
Jan Cassiman
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: + 32 9 377 2485
Gilde Buy Out Partners
Koos Teule
Director Investor Relations
Tel: + 31 88 220 2618