BUKO accelerates European growth with new shareholder
After three years of international expansion, BUKO sets its sights on European market leadership
Barendrecht, 23 April 2026
BUKO Group (“BUKO”) is taking the next step in its international growth strategy and welcomes Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (“GBL”) as a new shareholder. In three years, BUKO has transformed from the Dutch market leader in temporary traffic management into a fast-growing European player with operations in the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden. This has laid the foundations for the next phase: growing into the European market leader.
Equistone Partners Europe (“Equistone”) and Scheybeeck Participaties are stepping down as shareholders. BUKO’s management will remain involved as shareholders and will continue to be responsible for the organisation’s further growth and development.
BUKO, headquartered in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, has grown to become one of the leading players in temporary traffic management in Europe. With over 1,000 employees across four countries, the company delivers thousands of projects annually for contractors and public authorities, with an annual turnover of approximately €230m. With a comprehensive service package – ranging from design, planning and permits to the implementation, management and removal of temporary traffic measures – and a growing range of digital solutions, BUKO ensures safe and efficient traffic flow during infrastructure and utility projects in both urban and rural areas.
From Dutch market leader to pan-European platform
Since Equistone’s entry in 2023, BUKO has rapidly realised its international ambitions. Through a combination of strong organic growth in its home market and targeted acquisitions abroad, the company has quickly established a solid position in several European markets.
In March 2024, BUKO took its first step into the United Kingdom with the acquisition of Road Traffic Solutions. This position was further strengthened by the acquisitions of Hooke Highways in November 2024 and Keltic Traffic Management in July 2025. In October 2024, BUKO also entered the German market with the acquisition of BVT Bremer Verkehrstechnik. In March 2025, BUKO expanded further into Sweden with the acquisition of Road Rental Scandinavia.
“Three years ago, we made a conscious decision to choose an experienced and financially strong partner to realise our growth ambitions,” says Robert Emmerich, CEO of BUKO Group. “The goal was clear: international expansion and further professionalisation, whilst retaining our unique people- and results-oriented culture. That choice has paid off. I look back with pride on what we have built together with Equistone: a solid foundation for our ambition to become the next-generation European market leader.”
Hubert van Wolfswinkel, Partner at Equistone: “In a short space of time, BUKO has undergone an impressive transformation into a strong European player. We are impressed by the entrepreneurship and drive of the management team and look back with pride on what we have achieved together. We are fully confident that BUKO will continue on its growth path and develop further into a market leader in Europe.”
On course for European market leadership
With GBL, BUKO is building on the foundations already laid and accelerating the next phase of growth in Europe. The ambition is clear: to become the next-generation European market leader in temporary traffic management.
The strategy focuses on further growth through a buy-and-build approach in existing countries, expansion into new European markets, and further strengthening the organisation. At the same time, BUKO is investing in further professionalisation and building a single, powerful European brand with a clear identity and strategy. This leaves room for local entrepreneurship in the various countries.
“We are not building a collection of companies, but a single, strong European BUKO,” says Emmerich. “Our ‘BUKO Way of Working’ forms the basis for this: a unique way of working centred on high safety standards, committed professionals and a strong customer- and results-oriented approach. We are taking this formula for success to new markets, whilst at the same time continuing to learn from the best practices of local teams. It is precisely this interaction that ensures continuous development and makes us an organisation that continues to grow and one that people want to work for and with.”
Christian Mogge, Investment Partner at GBL: “BUKO has built up an impressive track record under CEO Robert Emmerich and his teams. The TTM sector, and BUKO in particular, are well positioned to capitalise on various growth opportunities. Together with my colleagues, we are looking forward with enthusiasm to our future collaboration.”
The agreement is subject to approval by the competition authorities.
About BUKO Group
BUKO Group is a leading European player in temporary traffic and safety management solutions. From its origins as a Dutch family business, BUKO has grown into an organisation with over 1,000 employees, operating in the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden. With a strong focus on high safety standards, dedicated professionals and a customer- and results-oriented approach, BUKO works every day towards a single goal: ensuring everyone gets home safely. bukogroup.com
About the Groupe Bruxelles Lambert
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (“GBL”) is an established investment holding company, listed on the stock exchange for over seventy years and with a net asset value of €14.0 billion at the end of December 2025. As a leading and active investor in Europe, GBL focuses on long-term value creation, supported by a stable family shareholder base. In line with its raison d’être of delivering meaningful growth, GBL aims to offer its shareholders an attractive return through the growth of its net asset value per share, a sustainable dividend and share buybacks. GBL is listed on Euronext Brussels (Ticker: GBLB BB; ISIN code: BE0003797140) and is part of the BEL 20 index.