RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 89
It is clear that meetings with prospective buyers
When the negotiations are still in full swing,
are having a negative effect on the atmosphere.
BP-Nutrition suddenly publishes an article about
It is becoming increasingly clear that Asgrow, the
Rijk Zwaan in its corporate magazine under the
main candidate for the takeover, doesn’t want
headline ‘Rijk Zwaan sold.’ This unexpected news
to hold its meeting with Rijk Zwaan’s Board in De
further worsens the atmosphere.
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Paragon
Leek
Lier and prefers to meet at the Hilton Hotel near
Schiphol Airport. Distrust in Asgrow as a buyer
Emotional roller-coaster
is at an all-time high at Rijk Zwaan by this time,
On 24 May 1989, all the bids are submitted –
while it is becoming increasingly clear that BP
including that of Rijk Zwaan’s Board with
wants Asgrow to emerge as the sole candidate.
co-financing from Cebeco. The Board tensely
The works council stands firmly behind the
awaits the news. One day later, BP’s negotiator
management, formulating its serious objections
comes to deliver the news to the Board. When he
to the takeover in a letter to Asgrow. During a
enters with a smile on his face, the first reaction of
meeting between the Boards of Rijk Zwaan and
Ben, Anton and Maarten is cautious relief.
Asgrow and the works council, the chairman of
So did it work out after all? In a split second, these
the works council, Mr A. Solleveld, even goes so far
misplaced hopes are swept away, as Asgrow
as to deny Asgrow’s lawyer access to the meeting.
appears to have made the highest bid. The Board’s
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Launch of
RZ Ibérica
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87
Acquisition of
Hollandia
België
worst fears therefore seem to have come true:
Rijk Zwaan has lost the bid to Asgrow, meaning
that Asgrow will in all likelihood become the new
owner of the company. In BP’s words: ‘It’s an offer
you can’t refuse.’ Everything Rijk Zwaan has built
up in its 60-plus years of existence as well as the
‘soul’ of the company seems to be lost. But a lost
battle is not a lost war, as we will see.
1987-1988
Works council letter to employees
about the negotiations with Asgrow
1986-1990 | The management buyout | ‘An adventure story’’
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Turnover
FTE
16.685
239
