Maarten van der Velden takes over Multicopy master franchise

Maarten van der Velden has taken over Multicopy’s Dutch master franchise. Fortidia has signed a master franchise agreement with Multicopy Netherlands B.V., the company he now owns and leads. The Multicopy brand remains owned by Fortidia. This changes the ownership and leadership structure in the Netherlands, while keeping the brand within the same international portfolio.

Dutch business gets a new owner and leader

The announcement, published on 28 September, centres on two closely linked developments. First, Multicopy Netherlands B.V. is now owned by Maarten van der Velden. Second, Fortidia has signed a master franchise agreement with that company. Van der Velden also leads the business.

His role therefore combines ownership and leadership of the Dutch company, making this more than simply a change of management. At the same time, it is important to be precise about what he now owns: Multicopy Netherlands B.V., not the Multicopy brand itself.

This combination is particularly relevant to those involved in franchising in the Netherlands. The company with which Fortidia has signed the agreement has an owner who also runs the business. The announcement thus brings the Dutch master franchise, ownership of the company and its day-to-day leadership together under one clear name: Maarten van der Velden.

Fortidia retains ownership of the brand

Alongside the change in the Netherlands, the announcement explicitly confirms an element of continuity. Multicopy remains part of Fortidia’s brand portfolio. Ownership of the brand and its associated intellectual property rights also remains with Fortidia.

The new arrangement therefore does not mean that Fortidia has sold the Multicopy brand to Van der Velden. Ownership of the Dutch company and ownership of the brand are separate matters. Under the announced arrangement, the former passes to Van der Velden, while the latter remains with Fortidia.

This distinction is essential to understanding the news correctly. Simply describing it as a takeover of Multicopy leaves it unclear whether this means the Dutch company or the brand. The announced arrangements are more specific: Multicopy Netherlands B.V. has a new owner and leader, while Fortidia retains the brand and its associated rights.

The change in the Netherlands therefore sits alongside Multicopy’s continued place within Fortidia’s portfolio. Both elements form part of the same announcement and should be considered together.

Master franchise agreement is central to the arrangement

The agreement between Fortidia and Multicopy Netherlands B.V. is explicitly a master franchise agreement. Its focus is therefore the Dutch franchise organisation, rather than the opening of an individual outlet. Fortidia’s contractual partner is the Dutch company now owned by Van der Velden.

Three distinct roles are important to understanding the structure. Fortidia remains the brand owner. Multicopy Netherlands B.V. is the company that has entered into the master franchise agreement. Van der Velden owns and leads that company. Setting out these roles separately makes clear what is changing and what remains in place.

The news is therefore primarily about the organisational structure: how the Dutch master franchise is held and who is in charge of it. The announcement should not be confused with a sale of the international brand or news of a new local Multicopy outlet.

What this means for following Multicopy’s development

The announcement establishes clear ownership and leadership for the Dutch master franchise. Van der Velden is the central figure at Multicopy Netherlands B.V.; Fortidia remains responsible for the brand and its intellectual property rights. This is the starting point for following further developments in Multicopy’s franchise network in the Netherlands.

For entrepreneurs considering the Dutch franchise market, the news primarily clarifies who the parties are. The Dutch company and the international brand owner continue to fulfil different roles within the announced structure. The change in ownership of one does not alter the explicitly confirmed brand ownership of the other.

Practical takeaway: when assessing this change, distinguish between ownership of the Dutch company, the master franchise agreement and ownership of the brand. At Multicopy, the Dutch company is now owned by Van der Velden; the brand remains owned by Fortidia.