Wintertaling is proud to have advised Autoschadegroep ABS Den Elzen, a leading Dutch family-owned car damage repair group, in its strategic partnership with Werksta Group, Scandinavia’s largest car damage repair chain backed by Procuritas Capital Investors.

This transaction marks a significant milestone: Werksta’s first expansion outside the Nordics, entering the Dutch market with a strong and well-established partner.

A Legacy Business Securing its Future

Founded in 1948, ABS Den Elzen has grown into a leading regional group with nine branches in the western and southwestern Netherlands, approximately 200 employees, and annual revenues of more than €40 million in 2024. The company is part of the nationwide ABS network and has built its reputation on craftsmanship, quality, and customer trust for more than 75 years.

With this transaction, Joost den Elzen and Danielle Vermeulen will continue to lead the company, ensuring continuity for employees, customers, and partners.

Joost den Elzen, CEO of ABS Den Elzen, said:

“This step is a logical move for the future of our business. Werksta shares our passion for craftsmanship and our focus on people. Together, we will strengthen our market position while maintaining the high quality that our customers have relied on for generations.”

Werksta’s Growth Journey

Founded in 2015, Werksta is the largest car damage repair group in Scandinavia with over 100 locations in Sweden, Finland, and Norway, more than 1,800 employees, and revenues of approximately €300 million in 2024. With the partnership with ABS Den Elzen, Werksta establishes its presence in the Netherlands, laying the foundation for further growth in continental Europe.

Joel Granath, CEO of Werksta Group, commented:

“We see tremendous potential in ABS Den Elzen and are impressed by their craftsmanship, strong market position, and reputation. This transaction provides the perfect foundation for Werksta’s expansion into the Netherlands.”

Advisory Roles

The sale process was supported by YES Corporate Finance (YES CF), which assisted ABS Den Elzen throughout the transaction by drafting the information memorandum, conducting a business valuation, approaching both domestic and international strategic and financial parties, structuring the deal, coordinating due diligence, and supervising the process until closing.

Wintertaling acted as legal advisor to ABS Den Elzen.

On the buyer’s side, Werksta and Procuritas were supported by Parthon Advisors GmbH (M&A), PwC (financial and tax due diligence), and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek (legal).

Deal Teams

ABS Den Elzen & Advisors

• ABS Den Elzen: Joost den Elzen, Danielle Vermeulen, Ronald van Weelde, Steven Kuiper, Rogier Schinkel, Eric van den Steen
• Wintertaling: Marein Smits, Esra Koopman, Julien van Oosten
• YES CF: Arjan Boonekamp, Pieter Beck, Maaike Hoogerwerf, Luuk van Leeuwen

Werksta & Advisors

• Werksta: Joel Granath, Martin Sakari
• Procuritas: Jussi Holopainen, Jermu Kuismin, Mattias Feiff, Patrik Puskala
• Parthon Advisors GmbH: Jochen Köhler, Alexander Funke
• PwC: Remco van Daal & team
• De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek: Lennard Keijzer & team

About ABS Den Elzen

ABS Den Elzen is a leading car damage repair group in the western and southwestern Netherlands. Established in 1948 as a family-owned business, the group has grown into nine locations with about 200 employees. As part of the ABS network, Den Elzen is known for quality, reliability, and innovation.

About Werksta Group

Werksta, founded in 2015, is Scandinavia’s largest car damage repair group with over 100 workshops across Sweden, Finland, and Norway. With more than 1,800 employees, Werksta generated revenues of approximately €300 million in 2024. Werksta is backed by Procuritas Capital Investors.

Wintertaling congratulates all parties involved on this meaningful cross-border transaction, combining scale, entrepreneurship, and continuity.