Consumer

Becoming more sustainable means not only making businesses greener and more social, but equally renewing and strengthening the business model for future success.

Header Consumer.jpg

The Consumer platform focuses on companies that respond to the needs and preferences of consumers who consciously choose an active, healthy and ecologically responsible lifestyle. Gimv is convinced of the future potential of consumer-focused companies committed to achieving organic or external top-line growth, unique niche brand positioning, leading private label specialization or a data-driven direct-to-consumer approach.

Consumer has a diverse portfolio of consumer-oriented companies: young ‘digital natives’ and established values, B2B and B2C, branded and non-branded, manufacturing and distribution. Collaboration, knowledge, experience, drive, network and complementarity are essential for successful sustainable growth and value creation. The entrepreneurs behind and the management of our companies can count on the Consumer team as a loyal partner and 'compagnon de route' who wants to contribute fully to the further growth path of the company.

Why Gimv Consumer?

  • Growth
    Buy-and-build, organic growth through innovation, branding, internationalization, omni-channel, development, digitalisation, etc.

  • Finance excellence
    Capital allocation, refinancing, reporting & KPI setting, working capital management, etc. 

  • Human capital development
    Board & management capabilities, succession planning, recruitment & retention, leadership development, etc.

  • Operational excellence
    Investment, automation, productivity improvement, cost reduction, digitalisation, etc.

  • Sustainability maturity
    Sustainable business model, decarbonisation, energy efficiency, waste management, etc.

Investment focus

  • Fast moving consumer goods
    Healthy, sustainable and tasty food and beverages for the benefit of the conscious consumer, both locally and in international markets
  • Discretionary spending
    High-quality products and services for home, garden and family, tailored to comfortable, pleasant living
  • B2(B2)C / D2C products and services
    Other forward-looking products and services in growth and sustainability segments

Investment criteria

Ambitious and innovative companies with a solid market position and strong growth potential.
Small to medium-sized companies with capital requirements of up to EUR 150 million.
Companies headquartered in the Benelux region, France or DACH countries.
Companies with strong management and a clear corporate vision of social added value.
Gimv at the wheel

Hear life clearly - without the noise

Alpine

Founded in 1994 in the Netherlands, Alpine began as a specialist in reusable earplugs and has grown over more than three decades into a leading international brand in consumer hearing protection. Today, the company operates in more than 65 countries, supported by a strong omni-channel model spanning online marketplaces, direct-to-consumer, OTC retail and events.

For Gimv, Alpine represents a strategic investment within its Consumer platform, aligned with long-term consumer well-being and premiumization trends. It is among the larger investments in the portfolio and reflects the ambition to deploy increased ticket sizes in mature companies with a strong growth potential supported by longterm structural trends. The value creation roadmap focuses on accelerating international expansion, strengthening brand investment, expanding OTC and DTC distribution in key markets and continuing to lead the category through product innovation.

Alpine combines strong organic growth, attractive margins and high cash conversion with a clear pathway toward global category leadership. With Gimv’s backing, the company is well positioned to evolve from a regional champion into a globally recognized premium brand in hearing protection.

Impression of the 2024 Gimv Consumer Encounter