2019/01/10

William Blair and BDA advise Nordian Capital on the sale of Chrysal to OAT Agrio

a portfolio company of

has been acquired by

2019

BDA Partners is pleased to announce its client Nordian Capital Partners, co-advised with William Blair, has sold 100% of the shares of Chrysal International BV (“Chrysal”) to OAT Agrio Japan Ltd (“OAT”).

Chrysal is the worldwide leader in high quality care products for flowers and plants. Chrysal has extensive knowledge of both the horticultural chain and the different channels-to-market. OAT will help Chrysal to further strengthen its market position by adding new products to the Chrysal portfolio and developing new and innovative products and concepts. Chrysal’s extensive distribution network will enable OAT to supply its products on a global basis.

Chrysal has its headquarters in Naarden, the Netherlands. Including its operations in the UK, France, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Kenya, USA, Colombia, Ecuador, and Japan, it employs 235 staff. Chrysal’s revenues exceed €50 million.

OAT is a Japanese agrochemical company focused on crop protection, fertilizers and biostimulants. OAT is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Before acquiring Chrysal, OAT had 381 employees, 30% of them outside Japan. Chrysal is a strategic acquisition for OAT. Chrysal will become the core of OAT’s flower and plant care business.

The Chrysal management team will remain in place and is pleased to have OAT as a new owner and they remain dedicated to the company’s continued success.

Peter Vriends, CEO of Chrysal, said: “OAT will accelerate our growth by adding new products to our portfolio and has a strong pipeline of innovative new products. It will strengthen our presence especially in the emerging markets in Asia. Chrysal’s success is built on a strong local presence and intimate customer relationships in all major flower growing regions in the world. Chrysal excels in technical knowledge and developing solutions for our customers. We are looking forward to the cooperation with OAT and strongly believe our customers will benefit from this new alliance”.

BDA Partners and William Blair were the exclusive financial advisors to Nordian Capital Partners on the transaction.

Deal team

Jeff Acton
Partner, Co-Head of Tokyo, Head of Technology
Tokyo

About Nordian Capital Partners

Nordian Capital Partners, formerly known as Rabo Capital, is an independent Dutch private equity firm that specializes in growth capital investments in middle-market companies. The firm seeks to invest in management buy-outs and buy-ins. Nordian Capital Partners was formed from the 2012 merger between Rabo Capital and Friesland Bank, and was previously the buy-out arm of Rabobank. www.nordian.nl

About Chrysal International

Chrysal International B.V. distributes flower and plant care products for various stages in the horticultural chain. It offers post-harvest treatment, transport and display solutions, consumer flower food, dosing units, and tools. The company also provides lab support, dosing and measuring, marketing support, customer group, advice, training, waste management, audit, and technical advice and support solutions. It serves growers, bouquet makers, wholesalers, supermarkets, florists, and consumers through a distributor network worldwide. Chrysal International B.V. was formerly known as Pokon & Chrysal International B.V. and changed its name to Chrysal International B.V. in January 2007. The company was founded in 1929 and is based in Naarden, the Netherlands. www.chrysal.com

About OAT Agrio

OAT Agrio Co Ltd researches, develops, manufactures, and sells agrochemicals and fertilizers in Japan. The company offers plant protection products and biostimulants. It is also involved in the drug discovery, biological evaluation, formulation development, and pesticide registration activities. The company was formerly known as Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd. and changed its name to OAT Agrio Co., Ltd. in 2014. OAT Agrio Co., Ltd. was founded in 1950 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. www.oat-agrio.co.jp

About BDA Partners

BDA Partners is the global investment banking advisor for Asia. We are a premium provider of Asia-related advice to sophisticated clients globally, with over 20 years’ experience advising on cross-border M&A, capital raising, and financial restructuring. We provide global reach with our teams in New York and London, and true regional depth through our seven Asian offices in Mumbai, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo. BDA has deep expertise in the Chemicals, Consumer & Retail, Health, Industrials, Services and Technology sectors. We work relentlessly to earn our clients’ trust by delivering insightful advice and outstanding outcomes.

BDA Partners has strategic partnerships with William Blair, a premier global investment banking business, and with DBJ (Development Bank of Japan), a Japanese Government-owned bank with US$150bn of assets.

US securities transactions are performed by BDA Partners’ affiliate, BDA Advisors Inc, a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). BDA Advisors Inc is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and SIPC. In the UK, BDA Partners is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In Hong Kong, BDA Partners (HK) Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) to conduct Type 1 and Type 4 regulated activities to professional investors. www.bdapartners.com