Selling the family business with peace of mind, to emigrate to Italy

The decision to sell the family business

Mieke Genefaas never planned to take over her father's business. "I never expected to run the family company. I'm not technical by nature; I studied law and worked as a tax advisor." When her father fell seriously ill in 2016, she stepped in to help. Two years later, she formally took over the shares. "It surprised me how much I came to love the metal industry, despite my completely different background."

During a camper trip through Europe in 2024, Mieke and her partner fell for a run-down farmhouse in northern Italy. They decided to emigrate, something that isn't possible while running a company. "So I decided to sell the business and find the right party to guide me through the process."

Finding the right guidance for a business sale

The decision was made, but finding the right advisor is a different challenge. Selling your company is an intense process, one you go through closely together with someone. "A fellow entrepreneur gave me valuable advice early on: find an M&A advisor you also click with on a personal level. That's what led me to Rembrandt. In my first conversation with their advisor, John Hoekman, it felt right immediately. The thorough approach, his broad experience in the metal industry, and above all his calm, businesslike manner. Everything fit."

Sector knowledge leads to four serious candidates

"John and his team structured the sale process into clear phases. The preparation, including the indicative valuation and the information memorandum, was a lot of work, but with my background in numbers, I actually enjoyed gathering and organising all the financial data."

Together, they built a longlist of around a hundred potential buyers, which was narrowed down to a shortlist. Four of them showed concrete interest. "Rembrandt surprised me with their knowledge of the sector and the potential buyers already in their network."

For Mieke, price was not the only consideration. It was essential that Tebunus would be in good hands. One of the parties in Rembrandt M&A’s network convinced her with more than just its offer. “In addition to making a strong offer, Schoonderwolf Group convinced me with its track record. They showed how they had previously integrated other metalworking businesses while preserving the identity of each organisation. They understand that a business is made up of people, and that is exactly what my father, who passed away in 2020, would have considered important.”

Another factor was that Schoonderwolf has its own support division, covering finance, HR, marketing and IT. “That broad expertise gave me the confidence that my departure would not create an operational gap. Schoonderwolf can provide that support. They also have the financial strength to guide the business through economically challenging periods. And, importantly, I immediately felt a personal connection with the people there as well.”

A new chapter, with peace of mind

The final stage, including financial due diligence and transaction documentation, was intensive but ran very smoothly. “Thanks to Rembrandt’s careful preparation, there were no surprises for the buyer afterwards and no changes to the agreements made before the due diligence process.”

The transaction was completed at the notary on 1 October 2025. Reflecting on the process, Mieke says: “Looking back, I would recommend Rembrandt without hesitation to anyone considering selling their business. Their expertise meant I knew what to expect from the very start. They also remain calm under pressure and know exactly what information a potential buyer needs, and how to present it strategically. Their structured and careful guidance enabled me to let go of the company with confidence. My partner and I can now begin a new chapter in Italy with peace of mind.”