On April 19th 2011 The YILDIRIM Group, a
Turkish-based family owned conglomerate, acquired 75,11% of the
Belgian Company SEALEASE S.A. The other 24,89% stake remains in the
hands of the three founders of the company who will continue the
day-to-day management.
For YILDIRIM, this acquisition is the second investment in the
shipping and vessels operation business in Europe since November
2010, after the injection of US$ 500 million into the French
container liner giant CMA-CGM, which provided them a 20% share in
the company.
The Sealease management has been seeking this agreement with
YILDIRIM since it provides the company with substantial financial
means to respond to the growing demand of leasing solutions and
added-value services of the marine industry across the globe.
The new board of directors is a unique blend of financial
strength and market expertise; as majority shareholder YILDIRIM has
3 seats (including Mr. Robert Yuksel Yildirim, CEO of Yildirim)
whereas the Sealease day-to-day management will have 2 seats and
votes to secure continuity.
The growth potential is significant with a plan to boost the
assets in the next few years, both in the existing segments as well
as in new product lines. The Sealease management is proud of the
acquisition since "it enables us to tap into YILDIRIM's credit
lines in addition to the existing bank relation and endorse the
Sealease credo -We Sea No Limit."
Managing Directors of Sealease and their contact details are as
follows:
- Mr. Philippe Wirtz (+32-476-520463) at philippe.wirtz at sealease dot com
- Mr. Luc Verstraete (+32-470-528844) at luc.verstraete at sealease dot com