Buyer Environmental Due Diligence of a coffee roastery in the Netherlands

Challenge

TAUW was commissioned by Berk Partners to conduct a buyer Phase I Environmental Due Diligence (EDD) assessment of coffee roastery Koffiebranderij G. Peeze B.V., based in Arnhem, the Netherlands. The assessment was carried out in the context of Peeze joining the Coffee Growth Group, a strategic alliance of Dutch coffee companies owned by Berk Partners and coffee entrepreneur Wouter Jansen van Velsen.

Peeze B.V. is a family business founded by two brothers in 1879. The company operates a coffee roasting facility that includes a coffee and tea store, offices, and (barista) training rooms. Its coffee is climate-neutrally roasted, Fairtrade, organic and/or Rainforest Alliance certified, and 100% traceable.

Berk Partners is an independent private equity firm with over 30 years of experience. The firm has invested in more than 40 successful Dutch (family) businesses and focuses on profitable companies in niche markets and sectors with long-term growth potential—particularly in innovation, food, health, wellbeing, sustainability, technology, and automation. Berk Partners seeks close collaboration with passionate entrepreneurs and management teams to define strategic growth directions, supported by fresh capital.

Solution

TAUW performed an EDD assessment in line with the intention and methodology of the standard ISO 14015:2022 Environmental management – Guidelines for environmental due diligence assessment.
The assessment comprised a fast-turnaround desktop review of data provided by Peeze, combined with publicly available information from relevant authorities. This data was analysed to identify any deficiencies that could indicate potential environmental risks or liabilities.

The desktop review was followed by a site inspection of the coffee roastery and an interview with Peeze’s management. Shortly thereafter, key findings from the site visit and interview were summarised by environmental topic in a concise red-flag email report and discussed with Berk Partners.
All findings were subsequently documented in a clear and comprehensive EDD report.

Impact

The EDD report summarised the environmental status of the asset and enabled Berk Partners to assess associated business risks. Based on the results of the EDD, TAUW was able to sufficiently substantiate that the environmental risks and liabilities in the context of this investment were minor for Berk Partners. Therefore, there was no need to carry out additional assessments such as an intrusive soil and groundwater investigation or an asbestos survey.