Raven Hengelsport saved from bankruptcy

One of Europe’s best-known tackle retailers, Raven Hengelsport, has been reprieved after almost going out of business.

Earlier this year, longtime owner Dion Raven announced that the company would be closing its doors, with bankruptcy the most likely option.

However, after working with administrator J.P. Davids, Raven announced today that the company has been acquired ‘in an historic takeover’ by Dion and brother Iwan Raven and the Brubaker-Group, a German online shopping business.

“This marks the start of new opportunities for the former company and several employees of the Raven team,” says a press release.

“The two Raven brothers, with their extensive experience in the fishing tackle business, and the managing directors of the Brubaker-Group, brothers Han-Jurgen and Klaus-Peter Eberhard, who have a lot of experience in the online business, will be leading the new-found company.”

The new Raven Fishing will focus on expanding its online presence and will reopen its two megastores in Lelystad and Steenwijk on March 31st. However, the locations in Almelo and Rijen will remain closed.

The Raven story began 1974 when Sjoerd Raven opened a pet shop in the garage of his home in Dronten. Sons Dion and Iwan joined the business, with Dion later becoming owner.