How Viruma secured a new future
For family businesses, the future rarely comes down to figures alone. For Jurrian and Justin Beekman, owners of Viruma Dak en Gevel in Beverwijk, the central question was how the family business could keep growing without losing its character. When succession within the family proved less straightforward than hoped, the realisation slowly grew that a new chapter might be approaching, both for the company and for themselves.
Joining the family busines
Viruma is a genuine family business, founded in the late 1960s. Within the Beekman family, Jurrian and Justin represent the second generation, following their father, who spent many years as the company's director. Interestingly, neither brother came from a construction background, Jurrian explains. "I sold microscopes, Justin was a financial controller. We quit our jobs at the time and threw ourselves into it with full conviction."
Thinking about the future
Nearly twenty years on, the brothers gradually began to consider what the future might hold. “At a certain point, you start asking yourself: what do we want the future to look like?” Justin says. “We are both around 50. If you want to start something else alongside Viruma, you need to create that space for yourself now.”
At the same time, succession within the family was not a given, Justin continues. “Some of our children are still too young, while others want to find their own direction. Even if they were to join the family business, we could easily be looking at another ten years of waiting.”
“The opportunity came along now, and we thought: let’s take it.”
“What ultimately prompted us was Rembrandt proactively approaching us to say they may have identified an interested party,” Jurrian explains. “That gave us the reason to take action. The opportunity was there, so we decided to take it.”
A sale process requires distance
The brothers initially knew Rembrandt by name only. Yet during the first conversations, it quickly became clear that external guidance would be indispensable, Justin explains. “We hadn't yet decided whether we wanted to handle the sale with an external advisor. But we soon concluded that as an entrepreneur, you're far too close to it; especially during negotiations, a bit of distance is valuable. That's when a specialised partner like Rembrandt becomes indispensable.”
The process started in May with gathering company data. Jurrian: “By the end of July, the first bids were already on the table, which moved fairly quickly. Rembrandt's preparation and guidance keep momentum in the process and make sure you're well prepared for the steps ahead.”
"Rembrandt's guidance keeps momentum in the process."
Ultimately, the process produced a shortlist featuring both strategic parties and investors. One of the parties that emerged during the process was Crest Construction Group, the construction arm of private equity investor 819 Capital Partners. “What appealed to us is that Crest is building a group in which each company retains its own identity,” Justin explains. “Not integration where you dissolve into a larger whole, but collaboration around matters like finance, HR and IT.”
For the brothers, it was especially important that Viruma could continue to operate independently, Justin says. “A conversation with another company within the group reinforced our conviction that the family business would be in good hands with Crest.”
Insights from this process
For family businesses, a sale process is often about more than transaction value alone. Continuity, culture and future perspective matter just as much. By approaching multiple parties at the same time, Viruma gained the room to make the right choice, not only financially, but strategically too.
Looking ahead with confidence
Rembrandt's guidance also played an important role during the closing phase. "What made the process pleasant as a whole was the way Rembrandt guided us," Jurrian says. "We had one fixed point of contact and were well supported on the legal side and transaction documentation too."
"It's wise to bring in a party like Rembrandt, precisely to create that necessary distance."
On 17 December 2025, the agreement was officially signed. The following day, they informed staff during the Christmas drinks. "What would we tell other entrepreneurs? Don't underestimate it, and don't take it on alone," Justin says. "That's exactly when it's wise to bring in a party like Rembrandt, to create that necessary distance."
Results
- Sale completed within seven months of the process starting
- Choice created for the sellers: multiple serious bids from both strategic parties and investors
- Buyer found who preserves Viruma's identity and culture
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“The advantage is that you don’t have to conduct sensitive negotiations directly with your own business contacts.”
Faber Bloementransport Anneke Faber -
