Bob Hutten, 3rd generation Hutten family and CEO of Hutten Groep, will remain involved post-transaction as advisor and ambassador. Mark Hartmans, current commercial director of Albron will become responsible for daily general management of Hutten Groep.
Bob Hutten regarding the acquisition: “I was looking for a meaningful organisation that is capable of carrying on our company’s unique philosophy. My daughters have indicated to have no interest in taking over the company in the future. Albron and Hutten have a similar culture and ideas, we are very comfortable about that. Albron is a place where our employees will feel right at home.”
Jan Willem Hilbron, CEO Albron: Albron and Hutten both have their heart in the right place. Our starting point is identical: with everything we do, we want all stakeholders involved to benefit. We are welcoming the new colleagues of Hutten. I am convinced that together we are going to make more impact.”
The transaction is subject to competition authority approval in the Netherlands and is expected to complete before year-end.
Hutten Groep was founded in 1929 by the Hutten family as a bakery and grocery store and has grown to become the largest family company in the Dutch business catering market. Hutten Groep first stepped in the catering industry in 1980 when it started to provide high-end catering services for parties and events. Location and party catering is still part of the current portfolio of the Hutten Food Design label, which now provides high-end catering and hospitality concepts to event venues, soccer stadiums, and unique event locations. Hutten Groep then expanded its services into a solid market position in business catering and catering for healthcare institutions. The company also owns the Verspillingsfabriek, a circular factory producing soups and sauces from food waste, and Sign Language Coffee Bar, which is a unique coffee service concept using deaf baristas.
Hutten Groep is headquartered in Veghel, South of the Netherlands, and together with its 2.400 employees provides corporate catering services at approximately 220 different client locations throughout the country. Products are as much as possible distributed from the centralized production facilities named Hutten Culinary Centre, for which the company sources ingredients from its own network of farmers and growers. Customers are amongst others ASML, Philips Stadium, Johan Cruijff Arena, and Maxima Medisch Centrum. Hutten Groep generates annual turnover in range of EUR 140 million.
Albron, founded in 1899, is among the larger players in the Dutch foodservice various concepts and brands. The company provides catering services to corporates, healthcare institutions, government, and event locations. Alborn is owned by a foundation that allocates half of the annual net income towards social and charity initiatives, such as supporting parents who are unable to afford a healthy school lunch for their children.
Albron is responsible for the catering of amongst other Rijkswaterstaat and the Center Parcs locations. Furthermore, Albron owns coffee and restaurant chains Coffeecompany and Brownies & Downies. Albron employs approximately 4.500 employees and generates an annual turnover of EUR 280 million.
