Chr. Hansen
Country: Denmark
Region: Hovedstaden
Investors: PAI Partners
During its six-year ownership, PAI Partners transformed Chr. Hansen from a broad-based supplier of food ingredients into a focused bioscience company with a reputation for innovation. After investing in 2005, PAI strengthened the management team and supported a focused R&D programme to develop high-value and premium products.
PAI also streamlined existing operations and established new production sites worldwide, including China, Peru and Brazil to aid Chr. Hansen’s expansion into emerging markets. The company was listed on the Copenhagen stock exchange in 2010 and has performed strongly in the face of tough global economic conditions. PAI sold the last of its shares in 2012, after helping to create a high-quality business with a strong track record and a global reach.
Lars Frederiksen
former CEO - Chr. Hansen
I have become a firm believer in private equity. […] What I saw was a structure focused around active ownership where the boards, the owners and the management were basically aligned.
36%
increase in turnover in six years
25%
increase in R&D spend to €40m annually
What did the business need?
Full restructuring of international operations
Strategic focus on high-growth health and nutrition segments
Entry into fast-expanding emerging markets
Investment in new production sites to boost global capacity
How did private equity backing create lasting value?
Streamlined sprawling global network
Supported a change in focus from general food ingredients to bioscience
Built new production facilities to capture emerging market opportunities (Brazil, China, Peru)
Invested in R&D to create new high-value products
Improved the international sales network
Bought and integrated complementary businesses to optimise distribution networks
What outcomes did private equity investment achieve?
Increased turnover by 36% to €636m
Dramatically improved profitability by 117% to €202m EBITDA*
Increased R&D spend by 25%, from €32m to €40m with more than 250 people involved.
Repositioned the company to address Natural Colours, Cultures & Enzymes and Health & Nutrition
Investors
