NLO Shieldmark becomes second largest trademark office in the Netherlands
NLO based in The Hague, has acquired all the shares in Zacco Netherlands B.V. Until 2009, Amsterdam-based Zacco Netherlands operated under the name Shieldmark. This acquisition makes NLO the largest consultancy in the field of Intellectual Property and the second trademark office in the Netherlands. Herman de Haan, CEO of NLO: "In Zacco Netherlands, we found a perfect match, in terms of both strategy and operations. The acquisition gives powerful expression to our growth strategy and strengthens our position as a European player." Under the name NLO Shieldmark B.V., the Amsterdam office will primarily focus on the protection of trademarks and designs. The patent team of Zacco Netherlands B.V. will remain part of Zacco A/S.
As a full service patent, trademark and design office covering the whole European market, NLO expects to quickly capitalise on synergy and operational advantages. De Haan: "In recent years, NLO has made huge investments in efficiency and automation. With regard to infrastructure and procedures, we will be able to make the new NLO Shieldmark even more successful in a relatively short term."
In strategic terms, NLO Shieldmark is a powerful asset. "Their client portfolio and the specific expertise of their staff perfectly complement our activities in the field of trademark and design protection," says Marlous Stal-Hilders, managing partner of NLO. As one of the driving forces behind this acquisition, Stal-Hilders will manage NLO Shieldmark B.V.
NLO is completing the acquisition in the year that the office celebrates its 125th anniversary, thus underlining its rich history and confidence in the future.
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