Management and Gilde acquire De Oliebron and Kroon-Oil from Shell

Socaz historically operated autonomous from the Shell group and is one of the larger international independent Dutch lubricating oil companies.

The company operates a fully integrated business model through its private label/toll lubricants manufacturing company de Oliebron and branded-lubricants sales and marketing company Kroon-Oil. Socaz has especially strong presence in semi and full synthetic lubricants, the growth segment of the market. Luc Niessen, managing director of Socaz Holding, is confident that the company can benefit from the rationalization of the major oil companies increasing outsourced volumes to niche players like Socaz. Management will maintain the focus on the semi and full synthetic lubricant products and will further optimize the company’s product mix.

About Socaz Holding

Socaz Holding B.V. is an independent international Dutch lubricating holding company. The Company owns a lubricants manufacturing company, Smeermiddelen Industrie “De Oliebron” B.V. (“De Oliebron”), and a branded-lubricants sales and marketing company, Kroon-Oil B.V. (“Kroon-Oil”). De Oliebron is a lubricant manufacturer with core activity blending of lubricant oils. De Oliebron has a total of almost 700 active lube oil formulations in its systems and over 18,000 grade-pack combinations. Kroon-Oil is a pure finished lubricant sales and marketing organization, which has outsourced all production to De Oliebron. Kroon-Oil sells a broad assortment of lubricating oils, greases and car care products under the brand name “Kroon-Oil”. Socaz realized sales of € 48 million in 2005.

About Gilde

Gilde is a renowned European private equity investor with multiple funds under management, in excess of EUR 1.5 billion. The investment in Socaz Holding B.V. is made from the recently raised Gilde Equity Management Benelux fund (GEM Benelux). This EUR 150 million fund is focused on realizing smaller mid market buy-outs in the Benelux. In November 2006, GEM Benelux realized its first investment through the buy-out of Hamal Signature, the leading Belgian salad producer and marketer, owning strong brand names like Johma and Hamal. Investors in GEM Benelux are reputable financial institutions such as Allianz, European Investment Bank, Rabobank, Proventure and Rho. GEM Benelux has its offices in Utrecht (NL) and is headed by managing partners Gerhard Nordemann and Remko Jager.

For more information

Socaz Holding
Luc Niessen, Managing Director
Tel. +31 (0)78 610 11 22
Fax +31 (0)78 610 22 20
E-mail: ln@oliebron.nl
www.oliebron.nl
www.kroon-oil.nl
www.gilde.nl