Gimv lays first brick with ABN Klimatisatie — Platform genesis for an energy-transition installer
The initial plan was simple and entrepreneurial: combine ABN Klimatisatie’s high-speed, design-build-maintain approach in HVAC and process cooling with Lenaerts/LVR’s expertise in Houthalen-Helchteren, and pursue targeted acquisitions to build an integrated installer group. Founders from both companies reinvested, while sector specialist Geert Fostier took the helm as group CEO. With around €11 million turnover and 47 employees at the time, ABN entered as a focused specialist primed for group scale-up. Within months, the alliance grew in both size and ambition—with new members, a broader skillset, and a strong platform identity as Fronnt.
The Shift From Specialist to Platform
ABN Klimatisatie brought more than just technical skills—it contributed the entrepreneurial speed, culture, and reputation for reliability that set the platform’s tone. The Fronnt strategy pooled purchasing, standards, and talent across member companies, raising delivery certainty and keeping each entity’s entrepreneurial DNA. ABN’s legacy in energy-efficient HVAC made it the cornerstone for new builds, retrofits, and process-cooling upgrades in a market hungry for decarbonisation. The model’s appeal was simple: one accountable partner from engineering through after-care, integrating electrics, HVAC, automation, and data for clients digitising their operations and decarbonising buildings.
Vision, Leadership, and Acceleration: Geert Fostier’s Impact
As the group’s ambitions grew, the founders of both Lenaerts/LVR and ABN Klimatisatie chose to reinvest—cementing their belief in the multitechnics platform model.
Sector specialist Geert Fostier was appointed group CEO, bringing over 20 years of industry leadership and a proven track record in buy-and-build strategies for technical installation businesses. Fostier’s vision centres on equipping clients for the energy transition with integrated solutions across electricity, HVAC, security, and automation.
Under his leadership, Fronnt harnesses the strengths of entrepreneurial member firms—combining their experience and agility with professional group support and ambitious acquisition plans. Fostier is known for championing strategies that accelerate digitalisation, decarbonisation, and talent development across the group
We see a clear need for strong multi-technique installers to help drive the energy transition. Lenaerts and ABN Klimatisatie form a solid foundation for sector consolidation, and we’re ambitious to keep growing this group. Together with the management, we look forward to putting this vision into practice.Ruben Monballieu , Partner at GIMV
Strategic Why
Clients now expect one accountable partner—across electrical, HVAC, and automation. Fronnt’s platform pools standards, purchasing, and talent, accelerating digitisation and decarbonisation of new and existing buildings while protecting each firm’s identity. ABN’s industrial HVAC experience made it vital for energy-efficiency retrofits and complex process-cooling upgrades, supporting both sustainability and operational excellence.
Ventures4Growth Role
As exclusive buy-side adviser to Gimv, Ventures4Growth played a pivotal role from the platform’s very first step. V4G not only scouted ABN Klimatisatie as a high-potential anchor acquisition, but also steered the partners through valuation, deal structuring, and negotiation, ensuring alignment between entrepreneurs and institutional investors. Known for blending financial insight with a deep understanding of founder priorities, Ventures4Growth provided process discipline without losing sight of the entrepreneurial culture at the heart of both ABN Klimatisatie and Lenaerts/LVR. This combination of trust, operational detail, and strategic partnership ensured the creation of a multitechnics platform ready for ambitious, coordinated growth—making V4G an architect for the next generation of energy transition infrastructure.