Holland Capital backs EAE to lead the next chapter of industrial automation
When a newspaper press stops mid-run or a parcel sorter goes down during peak season, every minute of downtime translates directly into lost revenue. The EAE Group (EAE), consisting of the companies EAE, Q.I. Press Controls and EAE Solutions, develops mission-critical software, vision and control systems that keep these complex industrial environments running. Holland Capital is investing in EAE as a platform to build a leading international group in industrial automation, marking the start of an ambitious growth strategy led by Holland Capital’s dedicated DACH team.
Mission-critical expertise with a 64-year heritage
Founded 64 years ago in Ahrensburg, Germany, EAE established itself as the global leader in automation for web offset printing presses, developing software, camera and control systems that keep the world’s largest newspaper and magazine groups running. Its solutions are deeply embedded in production environments where reliability is everything and downtime is simply not an option. A key differentiator is EAE’s highly advanced software solutions, supported by its retrofit capability. This enables customers to modernise existing installations through software, controls and camera system upgrades, lowering investment thresholds while delivering significant performance gains.
In addition, EAE identified similar demands in the intralogistics market and expanded into delivering turnkey, high-capacity sorting systems, integrating in-house developed software and controls, and mechanical infrastructure into a single, end-to-end solution. Today, its technology forms the intelligent backbone of leading sorting centers, supporting a global client base.
A market at an inflection point
The investment comes at a pivotal moment for both of EAE’s end markets. In the graphics sector, a large installed base of aging printing presses creates significant upgrade potential. At the same time, sustained e-commerce growth is driving continued expansion of sorting capacity world-wide. In both markets, performance improvements increasingly depends on upgrading the intelligence layer, software, controls and vision systems.
Building a global platform
Together with Holland Capital as an active strategic partner, EAE will accelerate its growth by investing in innovation, expanding its footprint and pursuing targeted acquisitions worldwide.
Tom van Holten, Managing Director, EAE: “This partnership with Holland Capital enables us to accelerate our growth ambitions and further strengthen our position as a trusted automation partner globally.”
Laurens Platteeuw, Investment Director and Head of DACH at Holland Capital: “EAE combines German engineering excellence with modern software capability in truly mission-critical environments. With growing demand for intelligent upgrades in both intralogistics and printing, we see a clear opportunity to build a leading international automation platform from this strong foundation.”
New leadership
As part of this new phase, founders Erik van Holten and Menno Jansen will step back from day-to-day operations. Tom van Holten, who brings more than ten years of experience in the intralogistics sector, will assume the role of Group CEO.
Supported by an experienced management team, he will lead the company’s strategic and operational development going forward. The founders will remain closely involved as shareholders and strategic advisers, ensuring that their extensive market knowledge and technical expertise remain firmly embedded within the organisation and continue to support its long-term growth.
About EAE
EAE is an international provider of software, camera and control systems for web offset printing presses and a global integrator with advanced software solutions for the intralogistics market. The company serves a customer base that includes leading printing groups and logistics operators globally. To supports its customers, EAE holds offices in Germany, the Netherlands, India, Spain, and the United States, and is furthermore supported by a network of agencies and service partners. Drawing on decades of engineering expertise, EAE delivers mission-critical automation solutions that enhance operational efficiency, reliability, and performance for its customers around the world.
About Holland Capital
Holland Capital is an independent private equity firm with over 40 years of experience investing in promising Benelux and German SMEs with growth ambitions. The firm focuses on companies with strong market positions and international potential, with dedicated sector teams in Healthcare and Technology. Holland Capital actively pursues platform and buy-and-build investments across Germany and the Netherlands. The investment in EAE marks the seventh transaction executed by the Düsseldorf-based DACH team. Holland Capital has offices in Amsterdam and Düsseldorf and works closely with management teams to realize sustainable long-term growth.