Colliers International bolsters Dutch platform with WPM

Colliers International has boosted its property and asset management platform in the Netherlands with the acquisition of WPM Groep.

WPM is a leading Dutch player in leasing, research and development and property management with five regional offices in Amsterdam, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Nieuwegein, Barendrecht and Apeldoorn. The combined operation will employ 330 professionals and will be headquartered in Amsterdam. WPM will rebrand to Colliers International with immediate effect.

Financial details were not disclosed.

'This acquisition anchors Colliers International’s position in the Dutch real estate market as a market leader with a full range of professional real estate services,' said Jaap van Rhijn, CEO of Colliers International's Dutch operations. 'By joining together we will have 4.5 million m2 of real estate under management, across office, retail and industrial, allowing us to continue to set ourselves apart from our competitors.'

'Our growth ambitions continue to be realized as we welcome WPM to our team,' said Chris McLernon, CEO of EMEA for Colliers International. 'This acquisition will enhance our service delivery, broaden our service offering to clients and strengthen our platform not just in the Netherlands, but across Europe.'

Van Rhijn will continue as the CEO of Colliers International in the Netherlands while Ronald Maaskant (formerly CFO WPM Groep) will become Chief Services Officer of the combined entity. He will also serve as a member of the local executive board.

Ruud Bouma (formerly director WPM Offices), Joost Vooijs (formerly director WPM Retail) and Ronald Maaskant will also join as partners of Colliers International - Netherlands. Pieter Affourtit (CEO WPM Groep) and Ger Dings (director WPM Development), both owners of WPM, will retire from their positions on completion of the transaction.

This is Colliers' second acquisition in EMEA in the past month and follows the January announcement that the firm acquired Hatton Real Estate in the UK, one of London’s leading commercial property specialists.

Founded in 1987, WPM employs provides valuation & advisory services, corporate solutions, hotels advisory, capital markets, office & retail agency services to a broad range of owners and occupiers.

Commenting on the takeover deal, WPM's founder and retiring CEO Pieter Affourtit said it would add 'strength and breadth' to the Colliers business and fortify its position in the Dutch real estate market. 'The synergies we expect to achieve coupled with Colliers Internationals’ global platform will allow us to accelerate the success of our clients, create new opportunities for our people, and further grow our business.'

Colliers International Group Inc. is a global leader in commercial real estate services with more than 16,300 professionals operating from 502 offices in 67 countries. The firm claims to be the fastest growing commercial real estate company in the Netherlands.