PME and PMT invest €1.15 billion in Dutch and European companies
The pension funds PME and PMT are investing €1.15 billion in medium-sized Dutch and European enterprises. They are doing this to contribute to the strengthening and future-proofing of companies – including in the manufacturing, metals and high-tech sectors – in which many of their members and employers operate. The funds have selected Robeco as the manager of this private corporate debt mandate. Fiduciary manager MN will supervise the formation of the mandate on behalf of both funds.
With this mandate, PME and PMT aim to contribute to the growth of companies that are important for their own sectors and for the Dutch and European economy. By giving these companies access to long-term funding, PME and PMT are supporting employment, innovation and economic resilience: ‘This is how we are contributing to future-proof sectors and offer members a healthy and responsible return.’
Robeco will spread the formation of the new mandate over a period of approximately two years. It developed this custom mandate for PME and PMT together with MN. Combined with the mandate previously awarded to MetLife Investment Management, the total amount of investments in private debt by PME and PMT comes to approximately €2.3 billion.
For a strong Dutch and European economy
These investments flesh out the ambitions of both funds to invest more in their own sectors.
Alae Laghrich, Chairman of the Executive Board of PME, sees the investment as an important step in PME’s ambition to support the manufacturing and high-tech sectors: ‘In this time of great change, PME is actively looking for new ways to support the European economy for the benefit of both our members and employers. While others are still debating the opinions of Draghi and Wennink, PME is investing €650 million in the European economy, with the Dutch manufacturing and high-tech sectors as an important driver.’
Hartwig Liersch, Director of Investments at PMT: ‘By awarding this €500 million mandate to Robeco, we contribute to strengthening the Dutch and European economy. PMT aims to invest more in the metal and technology sectors to which it caters, both directly and through companies that are part of the corresponding ecosystem. We see interesting opportunities for this, which we will explore further in the coming months.’
‘The award of this mandate for PME and PMT is a recognition of Robeco’s private debt capabilities’, says Ivo Frielink, acting Global Head of Sales & Marketing at Robeco. ‘It underlines our long-term commitment to the Dutch market. What makes this partnership extra special is that we have developed this strategy together with MN and the pension funds. The result is a portfolio with a solid credit profile and clear sustainability and impact benefits. Together, we will strengthen the Dutch economy by sustainably financing medium-sized enterprises and build a future-proof private credit platform.’