Braden Group sold to management and investor Mountainview

LIOF and Particon helped Braden achieve international growth, now further investment in sustainable energy technology.

Braden Group, an engineering firm based in Heerlen and internationally active in inlet and outlet systems for gas turbines, is entering a new phase of growth together with its management and investor Mountainview. With this step, the company is strengthening its global position and investing further in sustainable technologies that contribute to the energy transition. The company made a successful restart in 2019 thanks to the support of regional investors LIOF and Particon, who helped Braden Group grow from 60 employees in Heerlen to over 300 worldwide.

From relaunch to international growth

Following the bankruptcy of the Canadian parent company in 2019, the management took over Braden Group from the receiver, with the support of two major customers. To provide the necessary financing, Limburg-based investors LIOF and Particon joined the company as shareholders. LIOF is the regional development company for Limburg and supports innovative entrepreneurs with advice, networking and financing. Together with entrepreneurs and partners, LIOF works towards a smarter, more sustainable and healthier Limburg. Particon invests its own funds in Limburg SMEs with growth potential or temporary challenges. The emphasis is on social involvement, business continuity and job retention. Thanks to their involvement, the company was able to make a successful restart and maintain employment in the region, with a focus on sustainability and broadening its activities. After the restart, Braden immediately opened a branch in the United States, expanded with service and maintenance activities throughout Europe and made strategic acquisitions in the industrial noise reduction sector.

From the outset, Particon focused on preserving jobs and ensuring the continuity of the company. "We are proud that, together with the management, we have laid the foundations for further growth and that Braden Group is now firmly established as an international player," says Gert van Heuvelen (Particon). The current management also emphasises the importance of their contribution: "Thanks to the support of LIOF and Particon, Braden Group has not only been able to make a fresh start, but has also laid the foundations for the international growth we are achieving today. Their involvement was crucial for preserving jobs and developing sustainable technology in Limburg," says Thomas Breuer.

New owner for next phase of growth

The arrival of Mountainview marks a (partial) exit for LIOF and Particon. For both parties, this is a successful example of how regional investors can help companies through difficult periods. This development shows how entrepreneurship, combined with the right investment strategy and partners, leads to growth in employment and strengthens the Limburg economy.

Mark van der Biezen (Mountainview) endorses the role that LIOF and Particon have played in Braden's growth to where the company is today.

It is a privilege for us to be able to shape this new phase of the company together with the management. We do so with respect for what has been achieved in recent years, but also with the entrepreneurial ambitions that the management teams of our investees have come to expect from us and the sector knowledge that we have brought on board specifically for this investment.

Focus on sustainability and innovation

Braden Group is active as a supplier in the energy generation, oil & gas, petrochemical and industrial markets. The company is increasingly focusing on solutions that contribute to the energy transition, including catalysts, gas scrubbers and silencers that reduce NOx and CO emissions. "Our mission is to develop technology that will make energy generation cleaner, more efficient and safer in the future. We are proud that we can continue to contribute to a sustainable future worldwide from our base in Heerlen," says the management of Braden Group.

Over Braden Group

Braden Group is an internationally operating group, founded in 1923, that provides leading solutions in the field of air treatment, noise and emission control, energy storage and support systems for gas turbines. With offices in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and China, Braden focuses on developing innovative technologies to drastically reduce NOx, CO and VOC emissions. In doing so, the company contributes to cleaner and more efficient energy generation. www.braden.com

Over Mountainview

Mountainview is an investment company founded in 2021 that focuses on minority investments in entrepreneur-led companies. In this role, it supports the management of its portfolio companies where necessary in realising their growth strategy. Mountainview invests in what it understands, but given the sector knowledge required for this investment, it has joined forces with a sector expert for the investment in Braden. In this way, it can contribute to growth in an entrepreneurial manner, while its role as a sparring partner is guaranteed in terms of content. www.mountainview.nl

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