Södra fully acquires Dutch sales company Smartt

Swedish forestry group Södra strengthens its presence in the Benelux by taking full ownership of distributor Smartt Timber B.V.

The Swedish forestry company Södra, one of Scandinavia's largest forestry cooperatives, recently announced the acquisition of all shares in the Dutch company Smartt Timber B.V., after previously owning only a part of its shares. The transaction marks an important step in the Swedish group's strategy to strengthen its position in the Dutch and Belgian markets.

Successful collaboration continues

Smartt Timber has operated for many years as a successful distribution channel for Södra Wood products in the Netherlands and Belgium. With this acquisition, Södra demonstrates its long-term commitment to the Benelux market, where it has maintained a leading position for a long time.

Robert Jan de Waard, former co-owner of Smartt, will continue to lead the company as CEO. "Södra has been a fantastic partner and the ownership transition to them is a natural step. The collaboration between Södra and Smartt has always worked very well. I am grateful for the expertise and experience we have built together over the years," said de Waard.

Continuity for customers and employees

The good news for Smartt's customers and employees is that operations will continue as usual, with the acquisition having no impact on the current business. Both Robert Jan de Waard and Ronald Rijswijk will remain with the company and sales contacts will remain unchanged.

"Our customers can rest assured that Södra will continue to offer the same excellent service and high quality products as before," de Waard added.

Benelux market expansion strategy

The Dutch market is an important strategic focus for Södra, which aims to further develop its business and improve its customer offering.

"With this acquisition, we have the opportunity to grow and improve our local market presence and at the same time expand our offering to different market segments and customers in the Netherlands and Belgium," said Andreas Jonasson, Marketing Manager at Södra Wood.

About Södra

Södra is Sweden's largest forest owners' association and an international forest industry group whose operations are based on the processing of forest raw material supplied by its members. Headquartered in Växjö, Sweden, the cooperative is owned by around 50,000 forest owners and operates globally in the timber industry.

The Swedish group is optimistic about continuing its success story with its customers and employees in the Netherlands and expanding its presence in the Benelux region.