Essent takes over Westland Energie Services
Energy provider Essent is about to take over Westland Energie Services (WES). Yesterday an agreement in principle was signed by both parties. This will create a unique combination of Essent and the energy company that specialises in local energy generation (co-generation) and energy provision and services in glasshouse horticulture.
This will give Essent access to Westland's specific knowledge and experience in the field of energy provision and services to the sector of glasshouse horticulture. Innovation and expansion are the key words in this sector. Westland's integral approach to customers has given it a very strong link to the horticultural sector and it enjoys international recognition for this. This fits in perfectly with Essent's strategy of expanding sustainable generation of energy, growth in the business market and the sector of combined electricity and heat production and offering integrated advisory services. The takeover makes further product innovation and stronger ties with customers possible. WES customers can in turn benefit from the scale and purchasing power of Essent.
The envisaged takeover of energy provider Westland Energie Services also includes HortiMaX (leading edge technology in climate-control computers, data management and project implementation) and VEK Adviesgroep (which provides international agricultural advice). The intention is in time to bring all WES’s activities and Essent's agricultural activities (energy production and sales, added-value services related to combined electricity and heat production) under one roof in a new organisation called Westland Energie Services BV, with Essent as the only shareholder.
WES shareholders have been asked to endorse the proposed decision. The NMa [Dutch Competition Authority] must also give its consent. WEI, the network company allied to WES, WEI, falls outside the envisaged purchase. As a regional network company, WEI remains in the hands of its shareholders, the councils of Midden Delfland and Westland, the current owners of WES.
About Essent
With an annual turnover in 2005 of 6.3 billion euros, Essent is The Netherlands' biggest energy company. Essent produces, sells and transports (green) electricity and natural gas. The company operates in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The environmental branch of the concern also processes waste into energy and residual currents. Essent employs about 12,000 people.
About WES
Westland Energie specialises in the provision of energy and related products and services to the sector of glasshouse horticulture in and around the region of Westland. The combined annual turnover of Westland Energie Services, HortiMaX and VEK based on figures from 2006 is around 700 million euros. Westland Energie is the biggest provider of energy to the sector of glasshouse horticulture in The Netherlands. The specific knowledge it has acquired from this is additionally employed to advise other business sectors in the business-to-business market. It delivers low energy tariffs, information and services to the domestic and small-business market within the region of Westland, with reliability of energy provision as its top priority. WES employs 240 people.
Arnhem, Poeldijk, 18 January 2007
Contact
Please contact the following with enquiries:
Bep Nauwels, Westland Energie, telephone 06 12 96 72 09
Maarten Thijs, Essent spokesman, telephone 06 52 57 27 91
Published: 18 January 2007