HarperCollins Holland is buying the lifestyle imprints Altamira, Becht, Dominicus, and Hollandia, along with associated personnel, from publisher Gottmer Uitgevers Groep (Gottmer), effective March 1. The deal includes Vaarbewijs Academy, a boating license training platform. The move expands the presence of HarperCollins Holland in the Netherlands and Belgium, particularly in the categories of cooking, healthy eating, spirituality, travel, and watersports.
The four imprints have more than 125 years of publishing imprints and hold leading positions in their markets, HarperCollins Holland said. Gottmer now plans to focus entirely on children's books.
Jan-Joris Keijzer, managing director, HarperCollins Holland, said, "The lifestyle imprints Altamira, Becht, Dominicus, and Hollandia have an impressive publishing history, exceptional authors, and great books and have become strong brands in their own right, trusted by generations of readers. We are proud to welcome these brands and their fantastic supporting team members under the umbrella of the HarperCollins publishing group and look forward to shaping the future of the publishing house together."
Chantal Restivo-Alessi, CEO, international foreign language, and chief digital officer, HarperCollins Publishers, added: "Holland is a key market in our international portfolio and one where we see great growth opportunities. This acquisition will allow us to increase our market share and position us for continued growth in the market."