Futureproofing a business structure

Van Gennip and Van Asten are companies in the Netherlands  and Germany run by two brothersin-law. They have a strong market position in the pig breeding and  pig farming industry. 

The companies constantly strengthen their market position and improve their products by applying new agricultural technologies aimed at optimising the growth of piglets and fattening pigs in an environmentally friendly way. 

Together the companies have: 

  • 37,500 sows, 113,200 pigs 
  • 10 biogas plants 
  • 1,400 hectares of arable land 
  • 500 hectares of pasture with 150 milking cows 
  • 1,350 sheep. 

Innovation technologies pursued by the two companies include a process for warming earth through pipework, selling energy (biogas) to energy companies and solar energy plants. Together, the companies have a turnover of EUR 57 million (USD 75 million) and more than 200 staff. They have worked together to strengthen their purchasing and sales powers, although both companies remain independent entities. They also worked together when they purchased two large-scale pig farms (one farm each) in the former East Germany, when the farms returned to private ownership soon after unification with West Germany. As a result of their investment, workers there were guaranteed ongoing employment and management processes and working conditions were improved. Both enterprises are now profitable. 

Van Asten now has 17 operations in former East Germany and Van Gennip has nine operations in the region.

We really appreciate the long-term commitment with durable and reliable business relationships. That’s what made us grow too.

Harry Van Gennip

About the sector 

Restrictive government agricultural policy in the Netherlands mitigates against business expansion. Companies in the sector therefore seek partnerships beyond their boundaries, hence Van Gennip’s and Van Asten’s acquisitions in the former East Germany. 

UHY services 

UHY’s member firm in the Netherlands, Govers Accountants/Consultants, supports the consulting arm of Van Gennip and Van Asten in the optimisation of their business structures, tax and accountancy requirements. In Germany, the companies are advised by UHY’s member firm in Cologne, Dr. Leyh, Dr. Ott and Dr. Kossow KG. Legal advice is provided by UHY Wahlen & Partner in Cologne and Frankfurt.

Why UHY?

Harry Van Gennip and Henry Van Asten have a long-established working relationship with Govers Accountants/ Consultants. When the former East German pig farms came within the companies’ reach, Govers Accountants/ Consultants introduced one of UHY’s member firms in Germany, which was the start of close cooperation with Dr. Leyh, Dr. Ott & Dr. Kossow KG. 

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Working with UHY 

UHY’s international structure of independent firms, each with a strong national and regional commitment, is much appreciated by Van Gennip and Van Asten. 

“We are very pleased with the UHY offices in the Netherlands and Germany,” says Henry Van Asten. “UHY gives us a guarantee of quality in the work that is delivered, a guarantee we would otherwise have to search for ourselves, with all the associated risks. It is not only the technical aspect that is of importance here but also the way of communicating. This approach really suits us.” 

Harry Van Gennip adds: “We really appreciate the long-term commitment with durable and reliable business relationships. That’s what made us  grow too.”

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