Merger and Acquisition Specialists SDM Corporate Finance Group and BlueBridge Announce Merger and Continue in West Flanders Under the Name SDM-BlueBridge.
Merger and acquisition specialists SDM Corporate Finance Group and BlueBridge are delighted to announce their merger. SDM, with over 30 years of experience and a team of 30 specialists, is the largest independent firm in Flanders and has acquired BlueBridge, the rapidly growing player from Bruges.
Jan Verbrugge, founder and managing partner of SDM, emphasizes the strategic importance of the acquisition for SDM’s growth in West Flanders: “SDM has already completed several deals in West Flanders, such as the recent Smart Deal of IT Provider from Tielt and the sale of Traxgo from Anzegem to the Dutch Clifford. But the potential of this dynamic region is much greater, and local anchoring and focus are really needed to realize this. BlueBridge has more than proven its qualities by quickly establishing its place in the market and achieving impressive growth.”
Jens Vanden Bussche, founder and partner of BlueBridge, is enthusiastic about the combination: “SDM has unrivaled experience and a track record in our sector. By combining our strengths commercially and in terms of transaction execution, we will be able to offer our clients exceptional service. The Smart Deal concept, a unique formula that allows entrepreneurs to free up some capital while simultaneously strengthening the company and its shareholding, has enormous potential in our province.” Jens becomes a partner within SDM Corporate Finance Group.
With partner Thomas Viaene and advisors Anthony Vandenbossche and Luc De Bree, SDM already has a strong West Flemish team in place. They will primarily shape the collaboration with Jens & Dirk Vanden Bussche and draw on their experience and many connections in West Flanders to make the whole a success.
“Our ambition is clear,” say Jens and Thomas in unison, “we want to become the market leader in West Flanders through this combination, by providing our clients with unique services with a team of unmatched expertise.”
About SDM Corporate Finance Group
SDM Corporate Finance Group was founded in 1992 by Jan Verbrugge and is the largest independent merger and acquisition firm in Flanders, with a team of 30 specialists. SDM focuses on the SME market with transactions between EUR 3m-100m and has developed a unique concept with Smart Deals to allow entrepreneurs to privatize some assets while simultaneously strengthening their company and its shareholding. SDM’s headquarters are located in Antwerp, and transactions are carried out across Europe, including through its network ADVIOR International.
About BlueBridge
BlueBridge was founded in 2020 by Jens Vanden Bussche, supported by Dirk Vanden Bussche, and has since experienced strong growth. The team has already completed several transactions, such as the sale of DKM Customs Group to Tilleghem and Van Vooren Group from Bruges to Fronnt (GIMV). BlueBridge is located in the O-Forty business center in Oostkamp.
About Smart Deals
With Smart Deals, SDM developed an alternative to a 100% strategic sale or sale to private equity. A Smart Deal transaction allows the company to be strengthened with a broad group of investors, key figures to be anchored in the share capital, and some business assets to be secured and diversified. Smart Deals are aimed at the transition from entrepreneur to entrepreneur-investor with a wide range of participations in SMEs.
