We support companies and institutions that find themselves confronted with fundamental choices. We help them to get a clear vision on future developments and (re)define their roles. Together with our clients these insights are translated into sharper strategies, clearer positionings, bankable business plans and design of future proof organisations. We often take it a step further and support our clients with the next steps; acquisition or partnerships trajectories and development of new products and services.
Learn moreWe help investors achieving operational excellence in their portfolio companies with a hands-on approach. Our experience covers restructuring, with a focus on reducing cost and working capital; growth, with a focus on extending capacity and driving the capex agenda; and ESG / responsible investment, with a focus on the social and sustainability elements of the operations strategy.
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We support transactions, both buy- and sell-side. The full transaction cycle is covered, from business plan creation to commercial due diligence, operational assessments, and deal support.
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We are a hands-on partner in the development of new ventures, propositions and buy-and-build strategies. Our focus is on integrating our clients’ new visions, roles and responsibilities into their business process. Together with our clients, we have developed several successful joint ventures. Our entrepreneurial, can-do mentality is often praised as one of our key qualities.
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Identify acquisition targets in the renewable energy space based on sector attractiveness, fit with company culture and capabilities, and emission reduction potential.
Extensive market research including several dozens of interviews. A range of workshops with global leadership & management team to select candidates and refine criteria.
A comprehensive overview of the global renewable energy market, profiling of 100+ renewable companies. A fully endorsed strategy, commitment for a 9-digit investment.
Create a vision on future energy landscape and identify offerings to grow fitting the energy market after 2025.
Analysing market data to create a long-list of offerings and prioritising the offerings based on strategic fit with the company.
A high-paced, structured and engaging roll-out plan was developed that reflected the long-term growth ambition of the company.
Identify major trends shaping the European energy landscape in 2020 (incl. US shale gas boom, German nuclear exit, rise of renewables etc.). Specifically, the goal was to identify how these trends could affect investments, and how the bank could adapt its strategy to minimize risks.
A comprehensive overview of implications on market attributes, segments and business models was created via desk research, management workshops and expert interviews. The overview was used to assess risks and opportunities for all energy exposed business areas.
Findings were used by key account managers in strategic discussions with invested companies. Our client engaged with us for a second project to further assess impacts on a more granular portfolio level.
Supporting the university board with drafting a strategy plan for 2020-2025.
Acting as sounding board and challenger both on process and content.
Project in progress.
Conduct research and develop content for a new guide to help general partners (GPs) develop their own approach to responsible investment.
Conducting interviews with more than 50 Private Equity firms worldwide, which resulted in a road map, best practices and concrete examples.
Publication of the “Integrating ESG in Private Equity” guide, which is now the leading framework for responsible investment globally.
Develop group level sustainability strategy, aligning the equity story of the company with concrete sustainability improvement programs.
Analysis of company’s material issues with respect to the long term industry vision. Level of ambition was determined in close collaboration with management, targets were set and translated into sustainability programs.
Full endorsement of the leadership team and increased attention of institutional investors, who were triggered by the company’s sustainable equity story.
Review & update of the sustainability strategy.
Checked progress on previous targets, developed business cases for renewable energy opportunities and drafted plans in close cooperation with the sustainability team.
Strategic roadmap towards 2020, endorsed by sustainability team.
A global printer manufacturer serving the B2B segment asked us improve its sustainability proposition towards its clients. Our client was already best-in-class in sustainability practices, but had difficulties in translating this to a proposition.
We assessed the current client’s proposition and product offering through an extensive number of customer interviews to map their needs. In addition, a competitor analysis was carried out to find best practices. We then developed a new tender approach and adjusted their sales pitch
Spring Associates drafted the first three tenders using the updated sustainability approach. Our client has deployed its new proposition with success: it won several large tenders based on sustainability excellence
As part of a broader public strategy assignment, we were asked to outline a strategy to procure ‘real’ green energy.
Based upon our knowledge of and network in the Dutch utility sector, we lead discussions with potential energy suppliers. Next we modelled the options and financial implications for green energy procurement.
Railway operator became first zero-emission public transport company in Europe and financial consequences were integrated into concession.
Evaluate carbon risk and outline the best solution strategy, ranging from trading, hedging, offsetting to emissions reductions.
Market consultation with a broad range of active traders and regulators, extensive desk research into emission reduction opportunities. Drafting of trading and hedging strategies, workshops with C-level management. Analysis of various biomass to jet fuel routes, including technical feasibility study and financial analysis.
Full understanding of the political risk and financial exposure relating to carbon emissions. Moreover, Spring and client co-founded JV that is currently market leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuels, SkyNRG.
We helped create a fleet roadmap to realise the company’s ambitions with regard to a more sustainable way of transportation
Based on an analysis of the available technologies, the expected scale and cost curves, the activities of competitors, as well as regulatory trends, we proposed a strategy and a timeline, as well as the horizon of the carbon emissions targets that would be attainable.
Multiple sustainable transport pilots identified which were rolled-out in collaboration with a large Dutch city.
Production footprint restructuring.
Building and closing factories, aligning outbound logistical network: analysis, design and implementation.
Significant reduction in fixed and variable production cost, higher yield processes, and improved customer delivery performance
Working capital reduction.
Supply chain redesign, inventory management, and process improvement.
Improved inventory deployment leading to lower levels with higher availability.
Aligning operations for growth
Extend capacity by improving lay-out, process improvements, additional shifts, new machines, and automation driven by a long-term objective.
30% additional capacity at higher efficiency, improved delivery performance and roadmap for further expansion.
Align operations with a highly cyclical demand.
Improve longer term capacity plan based on sales orderbook and forecast create jointly with a KPI dashboard allowing to steer based on that.
Created more process transparency for all key stake holders: management, shareholders, and bank.
Investment portfolio assessment on ESG themes and identification of value creation opportunities for 20+ Private Equity firms and other GPs.
Annual interviews with management of portfolio companies and investment managers, including site visits at companies, assessing material themes and drafting roadmaps.
Significant value creation opportunities identified through e.g. sustainable propositions, lowering operational costs and reducing carbon emissions. Deep expertise on key ESG issues in a range of sectors (e.g. FMCG, manufacturing, professional services, food, chemicals, oil and gas).
Mapping the potential ESG risk within global fund manager’s portfolios and invested securities
Developed proprietary model to assess over 100 industries, and 900 securities on material ESG impacts, controversy and negative headline exposure
The analysis and reporting created handles for the LP to engage with fund managers concerning ESG exposed securities, industries and regions. Proprietary database developed to efficiently assess sectors on material issues
Our client experienced increasing demand for the implementation of a sustainability approach from its limited partners and asked us to assist in drafting a sustainability policy.
We assisted in forming a suitable policy based on 7 key policy elements (such as main motivation, exclusion principles, reporting frameworks etc). We created an approach to embed ESG in portfolio management and reporting and we drafted issue papers on exclusion areas.
Our client’s ESG management approach became recognised globally and served as an inspirational example of other firms to address ESG issues.
Commercial Due Diligence on supplier of PV solar applications for a Dutch Private Equity firm.
Market scan of European residential and utility solar market, including interviews with market experts and financial scenario modelling.
Successful deal closure and currently growing to other regions. Up-to-date knowledge on European national incentive schemes and wholesale energy markets.
Commercial Due Diligence of wind turbine manufacturer.
Mapping of wind farm tender process to assess probability company could gain sufficient market share and conducting a market research on European wind energy market.
Successful acquisition and growth strategy realised.
Perform pre-deal assessments (CDD, ODD, synergies) and lead integration.
Support DD process, incl. synergy assessment. Design current, interim and future state operating models, and prepare integration strategy. Plan and execute the actual integration.
Prepared and managed multiple hands-on and fast integrations with limited business disruption.
Assess CAPEX requirement for company bought out of insolvency
Evaluate and gauge the repositioning plan developed by new owner and management. Develop plan for divesting non-essential equipment and capex proposal for gaps.
Assisted and managed in divesting assets according to plan and led approved capex plan
Reducing the carbon footprint of aviation activities through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from used cooking oil
Mapped the opportunities and set-up a joint-venture in collaboration with KLM
SkyNRG is currently the global market leader in sustainable jet fuels, supplying over 20 carriers
Provide real-time insight in energy consumption of industrial facilities and identify quick wins in energy efficiency
Possibility to install sensors on machine level to provide granular insights in energy consumption. Data analytics allows to achieve a 10% reduction in energy on average
Sensorfact was awarded Engie Innovation award and currently running at 100+ factories
Business plan development for a novel natural rubber crop
Market research, competitor analysis, business case development, financial forecast, investment case
Supervisory Board approval to proceed with this new business opportunity
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