-

"Het Anker", a brewery with a golden future

“Het Anker”, located in the heart of Mechelen, is more than just a brewery. The walls of the city's beguinage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, house not only the brewery but also a three-star hotel, a café-restaurant and a shop. Guided tours are also organised here. 

This family-run business from Mechelen, where five generations of brewers have succeeded one another, is renowned beyond our borders for its special 'Gouden Carolus' beers, which have been awarded several times. Since 2010, Het Anker has also been distilling a single malt whisky from the mash of the Gouden Carolus Triple at the Molenberg distillery, the family farm in Blaasveld, which dates back to the 17th century. 

With the support of our bank 

To develop its activities, Charles Leclef, the director of Het Anker, consulted his banker: BNP Paribas Fortis. Their long-standing collaboration, the bank's knowledge of this healthy Belgian SME and their shared vision of sustainable development led them to intensify their relationship. 

This is how, in June 2016, BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity invested in the company's capital through a capital increase. This operation enabled Het Anker to achieve its expansion plans for its brewery and distillery activities in a sustainable way. The partnership between Het Anker and Private Equity also allowed the company to professionalise its reporting and governance structures while preserving its family identity.

Supporting growth

Financing companies and supporting their growth is the core ambition of BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity. "We provide financial support in the form of capital or mezzanine loans, and we partner with companies in the long term, helping them implement their strategy and business plan," explains Laurens Boriale, Investment Manager at Private Equity. "In each company, we aim to create value by sharing our financial and operational expertise, as well as our international network, and by leveraging our years of experience."

Family anchorage 

Private equity is an excellent way to invest in the real economy and strengthen the SME fabric. It also complements family shareholding and bank financing. "Our investment helps anchor the company at the family level for the future. The capital increase in Het Anker is a perfect example of our investment approach at BNP Paribas Fortis Private Equity."

Bright prospects

Het Anker immediately welcomed the idea of private investment. 

"We thank our bank for wanting to cooperate so intensively with us and for sharing our vision of the future. Sustainability is also central to us," concludes Charles Leclef. "BNP Paribas Fortis has been our partner for over thirty years and, once again, has been particularly constructive and creative in its thinking, in order to help Het Anker grow. I am convinced that the new fundraising from investors will prepare us for a very bright future, under the direction of the next generation."