Drainage specialist and separator manufacturer move forward together: Netherlands' largest separator manufacturer Aquafix Milieu becomes part of ACO Group.

Aquafix Milieu, the Netherlands' largest producer of oil and grease separators, has become part of the ACO Group. On Sept. 29, 2022, Hans Julius Ahlmann, owner of the ACO Group, visited Mijdrecht to sign the acquisition effective Oct. 1, 2022, together with Michel Pieke (Director Aquafix Milieu) and Paul Gruson (Managing Director ACO Netherlands).

Both companies share the DNA of a true family business and strengthen each other in terms of production facilities, product range, know-how and marketing.

Founded over 27 years ago by Michel Pieke, Aquafix Milieu has become the largest producer of oil and grease separators made of concrete and plastic in the Dutch market. It also produces sump pumps, IBAs and water management products and markets an extensive range of sewage and drainage products. At the modern production site in Mijdrecht, some 40 employees are active and Aquafix Milieu has a large stock, with which the market can be served quickly. Aquafix Milieu also has a sales office in Belgium.

Michel Pieke : "Over 27 years ago, I started Aquafix in our attic room. In the meantime, Aquafix has grown into a professional, mature company. Thanks to the efforts of our motivated team of employees, we have made it to market leader in the Netherlands. The company is now ready for the next step. It is great that Aquafix can now grow further under the wings of a world player - the ACO Group. In my opinion, there is no better party to take over Aquafix. I am sure that through this acquisition Aquafix and ACO will further expand their market position in the Netherlands."

The ACO Group - with its headquarters in Rendsburg (D) - is a global player in the field of drainage technology and, with 5,200 employees, operates in more than 50 countries and has sales of over 1 billion Euros. The German family-owned company has been working the Dutch market from its sales office in Doetinchem since 1965. At ACO Netherlands about 40 employees are active and work the GWW, construction and installation market. ACO produces a wide range of drainage solutions for the collection, treatment, buffering and (re)use of rainwater and wastewater.

Paul Gruson: "ACO and Aquafix will operate - as sisters - side by side in the market and will strengthen each other in this. Although we move in the same market, the assortments and customer groups we serve with it only overlap to a limited extent. We are therefore aiming for substantial joint growth. The opportunities that the production of separators, pump wells and other concrete and plastic products in the Netherlands offers us will enable us to respond even faster and better to project and client needs. The size of the Aquafix location in Mijdrecht (22,000m2) and its location in the middle of the Randstad offers many opportunities for the future."

Together with the management teams, Paul Gruson will lead both companies. Michel Pieke will remain associated with Aquafix Milieu as an advisor to guide and ensure a proper transition within the ACO Group.