About us

Panta was founded in 1984 by Jaap Rosen Jacobson (1950–2023) with the aim of acquiring, restructuring, adding value to, and eventually divesting portfolio companies. In its early years, Panta’s main holding was Wolters Schaberg—initially with a 33% stake and later 50%—an investment group specialized in acquiring underperforming companies, turning them around, and selling them on. This positioned Panta at the very foundation of the Dutch private equity industry. At that time, the focus was on Wolters Schaberg’s strategy and operations. The group achieved significant successes with the turnaround of approximately 65 companies, many of which remain well-known names today. Examples from the retail sector include Society Shop, Luzac College, Jamin, Xenos, and Royal Delftware manufacturer De Porceleyne Fles.

After the sale of its stake in Wolters Schaberg, from 1995 onwards, Panta built its own portfolio, primarily consisting of majority interests across diverse sectors. Panta held these positions for relatively longer periods, with the objective of multiplying their original value before divestment—a so-called “buy-to-sell” strategy. Over time, the investments grew in scale and duration. While sector diversity remained, the focus increasingly shifted toward aviation, real estate, and hospitality.

Since 2023, the heirs of Jaap Rosen Jacobson have proudly continued Panta’s work. The family regards Panta Holdings as a unique and exceptionally valuable responsibility. They also recognize their duty to care for the company itself, its employees, and those of its portfolio companies. Within the Dutch investment landscape, there are very few firms with such a distinctive background, expertise, and legacy in societally significant sectors.

Elysian Aircraft

Aerospace

In 1996, Panta acquired 100% of Vlaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij (VLM), a Belgian airline. Under Panta’s strategic leadership, VLM grew into a strong European player in short-haul business travel, operating a fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft. VLM played a key role at smaller airports such as London City Airport, as well as regional hubs including Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Antwerp, facilitating faster, more cost-efficient, and more convenient travel for business passengers. 

Postillion Panta Holdings~

Hospitality

In 2010, Panta acquired Postillion Hotels from Accor. The management at the time decided to modernize the name from Postiljon to Postillion in honor of the founders and to refresh the brand’s image. Since the acquisition, Postillion Hotels has positioned itself as a modern hotel chain for business travelers. They introduced the Meet Work Stay concept, designed to meet the needs of today’s corporate traveler. 

Downtown Rotterdam project c

Real Estate

As early as 1996, Panta made its first steps into real estate with the acquisition of several historic buildings in Antwerp’s old city center, including Huis Happaert. By acquiring adjacent properties and redeveloping them for new purposes, the portfolio expanded significantly with residential, retail, and leisure assets.

Thermal battery house.95d3e4d0564181b7256137a0fb1542681

Technology

Innovation and digitalization are top priorities for Panta and its portfolio companies. Driven by the belief that technology will shape the future, Panta participates in a select group of growth and seed investments in technology firms, including ventures in battery technology and solar energy development. 

Aerospace

In 1996, Panta acquired 100% of Vlaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij (VLM), a Belgian airline. Under Panta’s strategic leadership, VLM became a strong European player in short-haul business travel, operating a fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft. VLM played a key role at smaller airports such as London City Airport, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, and Antwerp, helping to make business travel faster, more affordable, and more convenient. After a period of significant growth, VLM was sold to Air France-KLM in 2008. 

Panta’s involvement in the aviation sector further expanded with the establishment of Mass Holding N.V., a leasing company with a fleet of Fokker 50 aircraft, which were leased to VLM Airlines N.V. That same year, Rekkof (Fokker spelled backwards) was founded, acquiring part of the former Fokker assets to restart Fokker 100 production. Since 2022, the company (now Fokker Next Gen) has been actively engaged in aircraft development based on hydrogen propulsion.  

In 2005, Panta acquired Denim Air Holding. Its subsidiary, Denim Air, specialized in providing complete aircraft operations (ACMI – Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) for governments, humanitarian organizations, and airlines. For more than 20 years, Denim Air played a significant role in niche markets and international missions.   

In 2010, Panta further strengthened its position in aviation by becoming a major shareholder in the publicly listed Avcorp Industries. Based primarily in Canada and the United States, Avcorp designs, manufactures, and assembles metallic, plastic, and composite aircraft structures, including tail and wing components for leading aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing, Bombardier, and Cessna. Panta divested its interest in Avcorp in 2022. 

The most recent aviation acquisition (2021) was the takeover of Fokker Services Group, active in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector with facilities in the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United States. Under Panta’s ownership, the company continues to invest in technological innovation and advanced engineering to maintain its leading role in the aviation aftermarket. Panta later expanded its focus to sustainable aviation by supporting the Elysian Aircraft initiative from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). Elysian’s first aircraft, the E9X, is designed to carry 90 passengers over a distance of 800 kilometers on battery power. The aircraft leverages existing battery technology with an energy density of 360 Wh/kg, combined with innovative design features such as foldable wingtips and integrated battery packs in the wings. 

Hospitality

In 2010, Panta acquired Postillion Hotels from Accor. At that time, the management decided to modernize the name from Postiljon to Postillion, in honor of the founders and with the aim of refreshing the brand’s image. Since the acquisition, Postillion Hotels has positioned itself as a modern hotel chain for business travelers. They introduced the Meet Work Stay concept, tailored to the needs of today’s corporate traveler. In addition, they have invested in technology, such as voice-controlled hotel rooms, as well as in sustainability: nearly all hotels hold the Green Key Gold certification.

Real Estate

As early as 1996, Panta made its first steps into real estate with the acquisition of several historic buildings in Antwerp’s old city center, including Huis Happaert. By acquiring adjacent properties and redeveloping them for new purposes, the portfolio expanded significantly with residential, retail, and leisure assets.

In 2010, Panta acquired a stake in the Belgian real estate developer Life N.V. Active in Belgium and the Netherlands, Life has been creating innovative living and working environments for over 30 years, with a focus on beauty, humanity, and quality of life.

In 2021, Panta, together with joint venture partner Immopro N.V. (part of the Gijbels Group), acquired all Dutch projects, forming Life NL. Together, Life NL develops from the conviction that real estate shapes daily life—by creating unique and affordable concepts that respond to societal change. The goal: to create living environments with a soul—for everyone, not just the happy few. 

The portfolio includes, among others, the Hembrug site in Zaandam, the Holland Spoor Quarter development in The Hague, Downtown Rotterdam, De Kop Boulevard in Enschede, and Entrada in Amsterdam. These projects range from residential development to the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. Also in 2021, the former Fosbury site on Van Diemenstraat was acquired and renamed Westerdok House B.V.

Technology

Innovation and digitalization are top priorities for Panta and its portfolio companies. Driven by the belief that technology will shape the future, Panta participates in a select group of growth and seed investments in technology firms, including ventures in battery technology and solar energy development.