Emergency lighting specialist Famostar looks forward to the future

Famostar has been a leader in the area of emergency lighting in the Netherlands since 1956. The company has various innovations in its name and is looking to join Thorpe to be able to benefit from Thorpe’s strong reputation in the area of product development. Famostar’s owner-manager Herold Boertjens: “Famostar is a healthy and innovative company with a great deal of potential and ambition. With an eye on continuity and to give the company’s growth an additional boost we went looking for a strong partner and have found this in Thorpe.”

Synergy-driven lighting

Thorpe is focused on long-term growth and stability, with innovative and distinctive products supported by experienced customer service. In 2015, Lightronics in Waalwijk (NL) also became a member of the Thorpe Group. Thorpe CEO Mike Allcock: “All of our group companies are strong, independent companies with their own distinct market proposition. The strength of the collective lies in the synergy benefits created by sharing the Group’s strong technological platform. Famostar is a perfect addition to this.”

Professional lighting

Thorpe specialises in the development and production of professional lighting. The company was founded in 1936 by the family Thorpe, which continues to be actively involved in the company and at the same time is a key shareholder. Thorpe has revenues of € 120 million and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. This lighting specialist employs over 700 workers and consists of seven independent companies, each of which focuses on specific market segments. The current Famostar management will remain in place and will intensively be working together with its sister company Lightronics. Both companies will operate independently within the Thorpe Group. Fredrik Jonker of Marktlink Fusies & Overnames: “The acquisition of Famostar offers Thorpe an additional footprint on the European mainland and at the same time this enables the Group to enlarge its product portfolio. Together with the management board we held discussions with multiple parties during the selling process and Thorpe ultimately was deemed to provide the best fit. Both Thorpe and Famostar are multi-generation family businesses. Thorpe clearly understood the importance of continuing Famostar’s legacy, while enabling the company to retain its own identity.”