RZ-100-wt4-E-flipbook-240702 - Flipbook - Page 91
Resistance on Rijk Zwaan’s part seems to
David tegen Goliath
have paid off. After the 6 June meeting, at a
No matter how powerful the enemy proves to be,
subsequent meeting attended by the parties
at Rijk Zwaan people will go on stubbornly ‘to the
concerned, the Asgrow vice-president openly
bitter end’ – it is David against Goliath.
questions the wisdom of a takeover in view of
Ultimately, the works council will play a decisive
all the objections from Rijk Zwaan. However, the
role in the matter. Asgrow commissions a due
tug-of-war continues for some time. During this
diligence inspection in which the company’s
time, BP-Nutrition tries to go ahead with the sale
economic, legal, tax and financial positions are
using all available means, while the Rijk Zwaan
scrutinised to make sure there are no unpleasant
Board keeps insisting that a management buyout
surprises for the buyer.
19
88
Melina
Melon
is the best solution. All the parties concerned are
feeling the stress.
For the same reason, Asgrow also wants to
commission an inspection to see if the stocks are
A letter with signatures from the Rijk Zwaan
all in order, but since the US company is effectively
personnel to Asgrow, emphasising its strong
still a competitor at that point, this meets with
opposition to the takeover, clarifies the situation
objections. However, the Board cannot stop the
even more. BP doesn’t like this letter and accuses
inspection. When Asgrow employees arrive at the
the Board of a lack of professionalism. More and
warehouse on 28 June and start conducting the
more people close to Ben, Maarten and Anton are
inspection, Hans Spierenburg, a member of the
starting to wonder aloud whether it is not time
works council, finds it all too much. He immediately
to give up. After all, Rijk Zwaan is relatively small,
goes to Ben to discuss what to do next. Filing
and Asgrow and BP are both global players, so
summary proceedings appears to be the only way
it seems pointless to resist any longer. The works
to stop the inspection. Spierenburg takes imme-
council is also slowly but surely beginning to lose
diate action and has the works council’s lawyer
hope in a positive outcome.
issue an ultimatum to Asgrow.
Maarten Zwaan speaking at Jaap Zwaan’s farewell party, 1988.
1988-1989
1986-1990 | The management buyout | ‘An adventure story’’
89
Turnover
FTE
19.415
259
