Swiss Sense, the Dutch family business that has been profiling itself in the bedding industry for over 100 years with craftsmanship and effective entrepreneurship, announces that it has reached an important financial milestone: the successful completion of a refinancing process, established in partnership with ING, Rabobank, and corporate finance advisor Nielen Schuman. The arrangement, amounting to over €100 million, is set up by a forward-looking consortium, which, in collaboration with the current shareholders, including 365 Capital, provides additional capital to strengthen current operational activities and support growth. This financing enables the company to accelerate the rollout of its strategic growth plans and future-proof the company, and will be used, among other things, to further achieve international expansion in Scandinavia, and to make investments aimed at innovation and digitization of the chain and formula. This allows Swiss Sense to capitalise on market opportunities and further expand its position as Europe's sleep specialist.
© Swiss Sense
Challenges
The refinancing forms a strong foundation under the long-term strategy of Swiss Sense. Despite challenging conditions in the industry and the retail sector in general, Swiss Sense is highly profitable with an EBITDA level of over €55 million on an IFRS basis. This underscores the financial health and resilience of the organisation and provides confidence to shareholders and financing partners.
'As an organisation, we have worked incredibly hard over the past years to prepare Swiss Sense for the next phase,' says Martin Diks, CEO and fourth generation within the Diks family. 'This refinancing is more than a financial transaction; it is a confirmation of the trust that our partners and shareholders have in our course. It not only gives us financial clout, but is also an important step in fulfilling our mission to help more people achieve a good night's sleep every day. I am incredibly proud of our team and look forward to the future with confidence.'
Retail Transformation and Omnichannel Strategy
The refinancing comes at an important time. The retail landscape is in full motion, and in addition, technological transformation is rapidly taking place under the influence of AI and digitisation. While many retailers are struggling in the current market conditions, Swiss Sense excels thanks to its clear course within the omnichannel business model.
Martin Diks explains further: 'The business model has proven itself in various regions and is very scalable. Due to the strong position in the value chain, the well-developed omnichannel proposition, and the focus on specific countries in Europe, we see considerable potential for further growth.'
According to Swiss Sense, the physical store remains an essential link in the bedding industry, as a place where customers seek personal advice and experience. The strength lies in the combination of these service-oriented stores with a growing online channel and smart logistics; an approach that distinguishes Swiss Sense both domestically and abroad. Swiss Sense will continue to invest in the coming years, both in the digital transformation of its operations and in optimal customer experience, with the goal of further growing into the sleep specialist in Europe.
A Family Business with a Clear Mission
Swiss Sense is part of the Diks family, with over 100 years of experience in the craftsmanship of bed making. The company, with a history dating back to 1918, has grown into an international retail giant in 5 European countries with its own production facilities, with a total of over 2000 employees. The chain now has over 110 stores and webshops in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Austria, and acquired the Danish Drømmeland in 2021 with another 26 stores and a webshop in Denmark.
Swiss Sense helps people achieve a good night's sleep with a wide range of high-quality box springs, mattresses, beds, and textiles. By combining craftsmanship, innovation, and customer focus, and maintaining control over the entire chain, Swiss Sense offers maximum control over quality and customer experience. More than 2 million people now trust the quality of Swiss Sense every night. The company's ambition is clear: to further build a strong international brand with a clear mission leading the way. The investment in that future is a fact with this refinancing.
More information:
Swiss Sense
www.swisssense.nl