Apollo announced that balance sheet and other investor capital managed under its Aligned Alternatives platform have agreed to acquire Netherlands-based equipment leasing specialist Beequip from NIBC.

Founded in 2015, Beequip has grown to become a leading independent equipment financing company in the Netherlands, serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Europe and internationally, with a current portfolio of €1.4 billion and €700 million of annual run-rate originations. Beequip offers financing and leasing solutions for new and used heavy equipment spanning transport, cranes, containers, maritime and more.

Beequip will further the build-out of Apollo’s European equipment finance platform, established in 2018 with UK-based Haydock Finance. The acquisition is consistent with Apollo’s origination platform strategy focused on high-quality, secured credit generation, diversified across corporate and consumer categories, including asset-backed finance.

“Beequip has established itself as a leader in the equipment finance space in its home market, with a strong team and robust underwriting to serve a growing base of SMEs in the Netherlands and beyond,” said Kevin Crowe,” Partner in Apollo’s Financial Institutions Group.

“We are pleased to welcome the Beequip team to Apollo’s origination ecosystem and to support the business as it continues to scale, meeting vital demand from SMEs to facilitate their business plans and fuel economic growth,” added Apollo’s Mikhail Rychev.

Beequip co-founders Giel Claes and Peter Loef said, “We are extremely proud of our team and the success we have achieved. Leveraging our expertise in equipment, our focus on used machinery, and our 'iron above numbers' philosophy, we have consistently increased market share. With the help of our self-developed fintech systems, we have provided entrepreneurs with user-friendly and tailored financing solutions for heavy equipment. We look forward to working in partnership with Apollo in this exciting next chapter, with a solid foundation for growth domestically and internationally alongside a steadfast commitment to risk management.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and expected to be completed before the end of 2024.