DOEN Ventures transfers its shares in Rederij KEES
After many years, DOEN Participaties is transferring its shares in Rederij KEES to fellow shareholder Koninklijke Saan. Saan will thus become the sole owner of Rederij KEES. Saan acquired the shares from DOEN Ventures with retroactive effect from 1 January 2025. As one of the founders of Rederij KEES, De Regenboog Groep retains a golden share, enabling it to maintain control over certain strategic decisions.
Clean city logistics with people facing poor prospects in the job market
Since 2013, socially inclusive enterprise Rederij KEES has been committed to providing clean, sustainable urban logistics and helping people facing poor prospects in the job market. KEES works together with the City of Amsterdam and other socially inclusive organisations — including De Regenboog Groep — to facilitate daytime activities, work experience and the structural transition to regular employment.
Mature and financially healthy
Koninklijke Saan enjoys a solid reputation as a specialist in crane rental, industrial relocations and construction logistics. Contributing logistical expertise and experience and by optimising operational and financial management, it has supported Rederij KEES as a shareholder since 2021. DOEN Ventures — the DOEN Foundation’s impact investment company (the Postcode Lotterij fund) — has provided financial support. Together, Saan and DOEN have helped Rederij KEES to grow into a mature and financially healthy company, establishing the foundation for further growth.
The trusted services will remain
The takeover will not bring any major changes for Rederij KEES’ customers and other business relations. KEES will continue to operate independently, with the same familiar faces, service quality and social impact. Retaining its golden share, De Regenboog Groep will continue to serve as the guardian of KEES’ socially inclusive mission. Additionally, De Regenboog Groep will continue to provide employee placement and guidance. Together with Saan, KEES will continue to develop and respond to the changing needs of its business relations and trends across the City of Amsterdam.
KEES intends to expand its mission
The employees of KEES were informed last week about the full acquisition by Koninklijke Saan. Edwin van Oostende, Managing Director at KEES, is pleased with this new step. “Thanks to the support of DOEN and our collaboration with Saan, we’ve been able to make significant progress in recent years. We look forward to further expanding our mission together with Saan: sustainable urban logistics and last-mile deliveries for Amsterdam-based companies — electric, quiet, and with measurable social impact.”
Solid foundation laid with DOEN and Saan
DOEN Ventures has confidence in the transferral of the shares of Rederij KEES to Koninklijke Saan. Mirjam Niessen, Impact Investment Principal: “Our goal has always been to provide socially inclusive entrepreneurship a solid foundation so that companies can then continue to grow independently. That’s exactly what we’ve achieved with Rederij KEES. We’re now confident to be handing over the baton to Saan.”