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IceLake acquires a majority stake in DKM Customs

DKM Customs

DKM Customs is an independent customs and trade compliance services platform supporting customers across their import, export and transit processes. The company provides a comprehensive range of services, including customs formalities and management, consultancy and fiscal representation, serving freight forwarders, logistics providers, shippers and industrial companies engaged in international trade.

Founded in Belgium, DKM has developed into an international platform through a combination of strong organic growth and targeted acquisitions. The company builds close client relationships through deep specialist expertise in complex international trade dynamics and bespoke, digitalized processes, enabling customers to navigate an increasingly complex customs and trade compliance environment. DKM has established a strong foundation for continued international expansion and further consolidation of the European customs services market.

The Deal

IceLake joins existing shareholder Tilleghem and founder Luc De Kerf as DKM’s new lead investor. Lincoln International acted as exclusive debt advisor to IceLake in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in DKM Customs and the arrangement of the associated acquisition financing.

The transaction marks the next phase of DKM’s growth journey. Through its partnership with IceLake, DKM gains an experienced investor with a strong track record of supporting international buy-and-build strategies. IceLake’s experience and resources will support DKM’s acquisition-led expansion across Europe, complementing the company’s continued organic growth and further strengthening its position as an independent customs services platform.

Leveraging its extensive experience in the Benelux financing market, Lincoln designed and executed a competitive financing process that generated strong interest from both private debt and club deal lenders. The resulting senior financing package provides a flexible and scalable capital structure to support the acquisition while preserving significant capacity for DKM to pursue its acquisition-led expansion across Europe.

Our Perspective

Sander Thiadens, Managing Director who led the transaction, commented, “DKM has built an attractive buy-and-build platform that combines strong digital capabilities with deep customer relationships. The company is well positioned to accelerate its international growth, supported by increasing regulatory complexity and growing demand for specialist customs and trade compliance expertise. These characteristics generated strong lender interest and enabled us to secure a flexible financing solution that provides IceLake and DKM with the capacity to continue executing their ambitious European growth strategy.”

IceLake Capital

IceLake Capital is a Dutch private equity firm headquartered in Amsterdam that invests in market-leading, medium-sized businesses across Northwestern Europe. The firm partners with management teams to accelerate growth through buy-and-build strategies, international expansion, operational excellence and succession solutions. IceLake focuses on businesses with strong cash flow generation, experienced management teams and defensible positions in attractive niche markets.

Related
Perspectives

Connect with a Senior Team Member

Meet our Senior Team in Capital Advisory

Sander Thiadens

Managing Director

Amsterdam

Jakob Hijlkema

Vice President

Amsterdam

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