Which manufacturer produces the best school furniture?
The American architect and designer platform DesignerPages attempted to answer this question. In their top 10, they included no less than three VANERUM products.
Included VANERUM products are the Opti+ Cruzer, Salsa (goes by the Vivid name in the USA) and the Opti+ Move. VANERUM is also the only manufacturer that is featured in this list with three products. A fact which -needless to say- we are proud of.
From 5 - 7 March 2013, Dubai's provider of premium innovative education furniture Office Inspirations represented the VANERUM i3 learning environments range at the GESS (Gulf Educational Supplies & Solutions) exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE. GESS is the leading annual Education trade fair in the UAE and Gulf region and attracts over 250 international exhibitors from 30 countries, as well as over 6.000 visitors among which representatives from the majority of educational ministries across the GCC.
On its debut at this renowned B2B trading platform, Office Inspirations stirred the 6.000+ visitors' interest with VANERUM's interactive, integrated and inspiring (i3) product portfolio.
A lot a lot of energy has been put into adaptive education for primary education, where differences between students have been taken into account. With the arrival of interactive whiteboards this effort is threatened to be partly lost.
Play, collaborate & inspire Designed to support k-12 learning environments, LIGHTHOUSE helps teachers
bring lessons to life while encouraging students to play, collaborate, share and
engage. LIGHTHOUSE not only supports the I.Q. side of learning but the E.Q side as
well. Developing strong social and communication skills at an early age prepares
students for a more successful learning path.
“To align and integrate technology and media with other core
experiences and opportunities, young children need tools that help them
explore, create, problem solve, consider, think, listen and view
”
- NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children
Diest, Belgium ‐ VANERUM Group announces the acquisition of the SiS functional furniture a/s in Denmark. With this acquisition, VANERUM Group expands its offerings for what it calls i3 environments: interactive, integrated and inspiring solutions.
VANERUM Group is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of school furniture, static black‐ andwhiteboards, classroom technology and signage solutions. After successful negotiations, a definitive agreement has been reached to transition the former SiS production plants and sales organizations in Middelfart, Denmark to the VANERUM Group. With this transition, SiS will become a part of the VANERUM Group and a sister company to the existing VANERUM Scandinavia business unit in Odense.
The value of the transition is not disclosed. VANERUM Group adds a turnover of 10 million euros bringing it to an estimated 75 million euro in 2012 and increasing the number of employees to approximately 410. The transition provides VANERUM Group with expanded market penetration in Scandinavia and increases the quality and scale of its services.
"It is my opinion that SiS was since a few years no longer in line with its previous owners." says Managing Director of SiS functional furniture a / s Søren K. Grønbæk, who returned to the company two months ago. "With this 'marriage' we become part of a family that has the same goals and intentions to be at the forefront of inspiring and creative learning environments."
VANERUM Group CEO Gert Van Erum: "The employees of SiS understand the challenges of today's education systems. And we know that the best tools only yield optimal results when backed by the skill, dedication, ideas and energy of inspired people. The SiS units add more than 100 years of experience to the organization, which will allow the entire VANERUM Group to better assess and evaluate the 21st century learning environment needs of its customers, help define their objectives and present solutions just right for them. The combination of the experienced team at SiS, with VANERUM Group's leading product portfolio and strong financial position provide an excellent platform for continued growth. "
The SiS organization is now one hundred percent owned by the VANERUM Group. With this takeover, VANERUM Group strengthens its market position in Scandinavia as well as will benefit from new logistical advantages.
VANERUM Group partners with capital investment group, Sofindev III, to further support its international growth strategies.
To accelerate and support further international growth, Gert Van Erum, shareholder of the VANERUM Group, reached an agreement with Sofindev III for an entry into the capital of the group. Following this transaction, Sofindev III becomes shareholder of the VANERUM Group together with Gert Van Erum.
By partnering with Sofindev III, Gert Van Erum brings on board a strong financial and strategic partner. This will allow the VANERUM Group to accelerate the growth of its activities, in particular its unique i3 concept for educational environments, in new markets such as the United States, France and Scandinavia, and strengthens its position in the traditional markets of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Gert Van Erum, CEO VANERUM Group: "The entry of Sofindev III in our capital is a milestone in the growth and development of the VANERUM Group. We are very pleased that we have been able to attract the right partner, with an attitude and vision to match the current needs and aspirations of our company. This was also the case in 2008 when the now outgoing minority shareholders came on board. "
Ghislain Thijs, Managing Partner Sofindev Management: "Our goal is to work in a partnership with the management in order to further develop companies with a strong potential. We are very pleased to support and assist in the growth strategy of the VANERUM Group in this promising market segment."
Buyer and seller mutually agreed not to disclose information about the acquisition price.
VANERUM Group was advised by KBC Securities, Dumon, Sablon & Vanheeswijck and BDO. Sofindev III was advised by White & Case.
