Archive-IT partners with investor FIELDS group for future growth

Reuver, April 2021 – The Dutch investor FIELDS Group, together with Paul de Meulemeester, acquired the established archiving specialist Archive-IT from successful entrepreneur Joan Westendorff. Sitting COO Paul de Meulemeester will remain with the company as CEO and will further support Archive-IT with its international expansion plans.

Archive-IT is one the Netherlands’ largest independent archiving specialists. The company offers a broad portfolio of services and software for the digitization and archiving of physical and digital data. Archive-IT is active in the Dutch, Belgian, French and German markets and offers archiving services and solutions to hospitals, governments, law firms and multinationals.

In the next few years, Archive-IT expects to grow primarily in its international markets: “We see a strong market transition in France and Germany towards digitization and outsourcing of archives. Through our quickly expanding French operation and a brand-new archiving location in Germany we are perfectly positioned to capitalize on these trends” says Paul de Meulemeester. There are also many opportunities in the Dutch and Belgian market: “In the Netherlands we expect our new software developments in the domain of digital archiving and innovative services in the field of enrichment of unstructured data (“data vitalization”) to create further value for our clients. In parallel we notice an increasing appetite in Belgium for digital archiving solutions”

Joan Westendorff, who founded the company in 2004 using his experience from Jalema, a well-known producer of archiving folders and other archiving and office supplies, proudly steps back from Archive-IT: “I have greatly enjoyed experiencing how Archive-IT has developed into an independent and distinctive player in the archiving market, with an international footprint. Now the time has come to pass the torch. I will close the chapter Archive-IT (known formerly as I-FourC) and start a new chapter. My next chapter will focus on real estate, philanthropy and helping entrepreneurs found new companies. I will remain connected to Archive-IT through the development and financing of the new archiving location near the German border in Bruggen-Bracht.”

Besides organic growth, potential acquisitions are also being considered to accelerate the company’s growth. Rutger Alberink of FIELDS Group: “Especially in Germany and France, we see a fragmented market of archiving specialists. In the case of an acquisition, we expect Archive-IT’s unique software and data services to directly create added value for the clients in the acquired company’s client portfolio.”