Unitrailer, the leading Polish producer of trailers with gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes, bought 100 per cent of the Dutch company in its first transaction outside its home country, and is already in talks to acquire other European players. The company, which aims to become Europe’s biggest producer and triple its revenue in the next two years, manufactures trailers to haul cars, boats, motorsport equipment and general cargo, selling mainly to individuals and small businesses. Acquired last year by European Trailer Holdings, which is backed by private equity investor Vaalon Capital, it has a presence throughout the European Union and on all continents.
“We’re accelerating our growth with the support of our new investor, and we have very ambitious plans for the future,” said Unitrailer Founder and CEO Arkadiusz Marzec. “Henra is known for its outstanding quality and high-end trailers, providing the perfect complement to our product range, and we intend to develop the company and its brand across Europe and around the world. This transaction is the ideal start to our ambitious plan to consolidate the market, becoming Europe’s top producer through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth.”
Europe’s trailer market is highly fragmented and Unitrailer plans to close further acquisitions outside Poland in the next few months. The company is targeting consolidated sales of at least €300 million within two years, up from about €100 million today, and a market share of 10-13%.
“We see strong prospects for growth, thanks in particular to the growing demand for smaller trailers in Southern and Eastern Europe, where lifestyles are changing as societies grow wealthier,” Marzec said. “Bringing together treasured local brands in a larger group provides synergies, from sharing know-how and R&D, to procurement. Competitive markets and customers’ rising expectations for innovative products make consolidation inevitable.”
With a tradition stretching back more than 90 years, Henra makes products including trailers with reinforced structures and deeper load bays for transporting bulky equipment, as well as horse trailers. The acquisition will give the Dutch company access to new production methods implemented by Unitrailer and a broad distribution network, supporting its expansion in markets such as Germany. Unitrailer’s current brands will strengthen their position in Benelux markets.
“Unitrailer is growing dynamically, and joining the group gives us the opportunity to reach new markets, accelerating our development,” said Henra General Director Rutger Poldervaart. “Trailer sales have always been highly localized, but now customers all over Europe will have access to our high-quality products.”
Unitrailer, based in the south-eastern Polish city of Świdnik, is seeing its growth accelerate after Vaalon Capital-backed European Trailer Holdings last year acquired a 70% stake in the company. Marzec controls the remaining 30%.
“We’re proud to be able to support Unitrailer’s European growth ambitions,” said Vaalon Investment Director Daniel Brol. “Henra is a fantastic brand, and this transaction fits perfectly into the strategies of each of the companies.”
