Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner Advises Owner and Managing Director in Relation to Sale of 21.05% Stake in Triaz Beteiligungen GmbH to Triodos Organic Growth Fund

The owner and managing director of Triaz Beteiligungen GmbH (“Triaz GmbH”), Mr. Ernst Schütz, has sold a 21.05% stake in Triaz GmbH to a specifically incorporated acquisition vehicle and subsidiary of Dutch Triodos Organic Growth Fund (“TOGF”). With the purchase of the 21.05% stake, TOGF wishes to support the continued growth and further development of the Triaz group as a long-term, strategic and mission-aligned investor. The parties have agreed to treat the purchase price in the present matter confidentially.

TOGF is one of 18 sustainable investment funds managed by Triodos Investment Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank, which funds had a total value of EUR 2.5 billion at the end of 2013. The funds span a broad range of sectors including energy and climate, emerging markets, arts and culture and sustainable real estate. They include some funds open to private investors and others suitable for institutions, charitable foundations, family offices and private wealth managers.

Triaz group was founded in 1987 as Waschbär. Over the years it has built up a strong client base of over 750,000 active clients, making it one of the largest sustainable consumer platforms in Europe. It currently operates the Waschbär, Mini-Bär, Vivanda, PranaHaus and B&W Naturpflege brands, selling over 10,000 products ranging from organic clothing and sustainable household and gardening supplies to natural personal care and healthy lifestyle products. The Triaz group is present in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands, and employs approximately 350 people.

Said Mr. Ernst Schütz: ‘For a sustainable business model it is eminently important that a potential investor and partner has a long-term view and is at least at our level regarding his understanding of our value-based business model. Not just the entrepreneur, but also the management team, the co-workers as well as our clients should be able to identify with a new co-owner. Only this will provide the basis for a mutually beneficial cooperation. With Triodos Organic Growth Fund, Triaz has found an investor and co-owner who fulfills these requirements. I am certain that together we will generate added-value for the company and thereby for the co-workers and our clients as well.’

Mr. Ernst Schütz and the Triaz group were advised in relation to this transaction by Friedrich Graf von Westphalen & Partner and the following individuals in particular:

•    Albert Schröder, Partner (Corporate / M&A)
•    Gundo Haacke, Counsel (Corporate / M&A)
•    Norbert Hebeis, Partner (Intellectual Property / Trademarks)
•    Nico Herbert, Associate (Intellectual Property / Trademarks)

TOGF was advised by Mr. Thomas Pauls of King Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin.

Contacts: Albert Schröder, Gundo Haacke

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