Hempel enters strategic partnership with CVC to accelerate long-term growth

Key messages

• The Hempel Foundation, in agreement with the Hempel A/S Board of Directors, welcomes CVC Funds on board, as minority investor in Hempel A/S.
• CVC is a leading global private markets manager with approximately EUR186bn of assets under management and a global network of 29 offices throughout EMEA, the Americas and Asia.
• The partnership with CVC will support the acceleration of Hempel’s organic growth and value creation plan, such as increasing investment in the development of new, cutting-edge sustainable technologies for the benefit of Hempel’s customers. 
• Hempel will benefit from CVC’s deep experience of investing in, and growing businesses organically and through strategic acquisitions.
• The Hempel Foundation continues to be the majority shareholder in Hempel A/S.
• CVC Funds will invest in Hempel A/S though its Strategic Opportunities platform, which was established to invest in businesses over longer time horizons.

The partnership with CVC will support the acceleration of Hempel’s organic growth plan, bringing complementary competencies and resources to support Hempel’s growth and value creation plans. In addition, Hempel will benefit from CVC Fund’s experience in making and integrating transformational acquisitions, as the business continues to expand into new segments and geographies. 

CVC Funds as the minority investor will subscribe to new shares, equating to a stake in Hempel A/S of up to 30% over time. This investment will also strengthen Hempel’s ability to develop new, cutting-edge sustainable technologies for the benefit of its customers and to execute potential acquisition opportunities, to accelerate its growth journey towards becoming a leading global company within the paints and coatings industry. 

Richard Sand, Chair of the Hempel Foundation Board of Directors commented: “The Hempel Foundation has been the sole owner of Hempel for 75 years and has an ongoing commitment to secure Hempel’s financial base and ensure its future growth. After careful consideration, the Hempel Foundation has decided to welcome a minority investor that brings both unique experience and capital to support Hempel’s accelerated growth journey. It is our clear expectation that the Company’s value, and therefore the value of the shares belonging to the Hempel Foundation, will increase more over the coming five to ten years with CVC as new minority shareholder than without. This, in turn, will also increase the dividends that the Hempel Foundation receives, strengthening our future opportunities for philanthropic work. I am therefore pleased to welcome CVC to Hempel.”

“The competitive landscape is moving at an increasingly faster rate in the paint and coatings industry and we need to continue to grow to remain at the forefront,” says Michael Hansen, Group President and CEO of Hempel A/S. “We have already made solid progress on our strategy of driving profitable growth, both organically and inorganically through M&A activity, delivering record-breaking results in 2023. This new partnership will considerably strengthen our industry position, will ignite further growth in our winning brands and means we are well-placed to seek out transformative acquisition opportunities.”

Christoffer Sjøqvist, Partner and Head of CVC Denmark, said, “Hempel’s development over the years has been very impressive and we are delighted to be joining their ongoing growth story. We are excited to partner with the Hempel Foundation and Michael and his team, and look forward to supporting Hempel with CVC Funds’ capital and experience to help them achieve their growth ambitions.” Michael Lavrysen, Partner at CVC, commented: "CVC Strategic Opportunities invests in high-quality businesses with longer growth horizons, often partnering with likeminded families and foundations looking for specific expertise to advance expansion. Our investment in Hempel aligns perfectly within this strategy, especially the partnership with the Hempel Foundation and we are eager to begin to leverage CVC’s expertise to support the continued success of this world-class business."

The Hempel Foundation will continue to be the majority shareholder in Hempel A/S. 

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024 and is subject to regulatory approval.