Leen Bakker and Kwantum to intensify cooperation

Firms join forces to accelerate growth

Leen Bakker and Kwantum are set to intensify their cooperation in the coming year. The companies intend to make more effective use of each other’s expertise and combine their strengths to accelerate growth for both store formulas, especially on the online sales front.

To this end, the companies are set to appoint a joint board of directors for the two retail brands as of 1 September. The members of the new board are: Debbie Klein (CEO), Rob Berns (Director Strategy), Matthijs Moeken (Director Marketing & Formula), Dorien Kampherbeek (CFO), Bob de Nijs (Director Operations), Noël Manning (Director ICT & Platform), Tibor Preiner (Commercial Director Leen Bakker) and Ilse Heemskerk (Commercial Director Kwantum). All the board members already work at one of the two companies and their appointment therefore ensures that the combine will retain valuable know-how and expertise.

Debbie Klein: “Both Kwantum and Leen Bakker have a long history, enjoy great brand recognition and a solid market position in the home furnishings and decoration sector. Since both formulas complement each other, Kwantum and Leen Bakker will continue to operate as independent retail brands. By intensifying our cooperation, I am convinced that we will accelerate the growth of both brands, strengthen our joint market position and improve our services to our customers.”

While Kwantum focuses primarily on home decoration, such as window coverings and floors, Leen Bakker has a strong position in the home furnishings sector, with its range of sofas, beds and cupboards.

Kwantum and Leen Bakker will continue to operate as independent brands, which leaves the identity and organisational structure of both companies intact. This also means that both companies will maintain their own service offices.

About Leen Bakker

In 2019, Leen Bakker celebrated its 100th anniversary. Leen Bakker is one of the largest omni-channel retailers in the home furnishings sector, with 165 stores and 2,500 employees in the Netherlands and Belgium, plus a webshop that accounts for 20% of the company’s total revenues. In 2017, Gilde Equity Management acquired the company, which was part of Blokker Holding at the time.

About Kwantum

Kwantum has been a specialist in floor and window coverings for more than 40 years. The company employs more than 2,000 people and operates 110 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium. The company recently renovated the floor and window departments in all its stores. In 2015, Gilde Equity Management acquired Kwantum, which was part of Macintosh at the time.