Young M&A Café Amsterdam

Marcel Broersma, founder of Flex Group Nederland and CEO Peak Value

The crisis as reality check

In the early 2000s, the market took a turn. A fast-growing organization came under pressure. Major customers dropped out, financing became more difficult, and growth was no longer a given. He considers this period to be perhaps the most important of his career. According to Broersma, every entrepreneur should experience a crisis. Not because it is pleasant, but because it sharpens the mind. In good times, growth can solve many problems; in a crisis, the real situation becomes apparent. It leads to more attention for buffers, more realistic plans, and less unquestioning optimism. That perspective remains.

The M&A process from the inside

During the merger with DPA, he experienced the M&A process intensively from an entrepreneurial perspective. The initial expectation was that negotiations would mainly revolve around taking a firm stance and achieving the best possible result. In practice, however, things turned out differently. A deal is not made against each other, but with each other. It is crucial that the parties remain in dialogue, maintain trust, and prevent the process from stalling. Broersma also mentions the tension between entrepreneurs and advisors: where entrepreneurs mainly see opportunities, lawyers and financial advisors focus on risks. This difference can cause friction, but ultimately strengthens the transaction.

Real work begins after closing

A clear message is that closing is not the end point. Once the signatures are in place, the work really begins. Integration, cooperation, and new relationships determine how things will proceed.

From entrepreneur to investor

After his exit, his role shifts toward investing and mentoring through Peak Value. Initially with multiple participations at the same time, later with more focus: fewer participations, larger interests, and more intensive involvement. The attitude towards stopping also changes. Whereas previously one would persevere to the extreme, now there is more room to conclude that something is not working. Experience sharpens judgment. Sometimes it is wiser to exit than to keep pushing.