Atria to acquire Ridderheims - specialist in delicatessen
Atria Plc Company Announcement 2 June 2008 at 13:00 pm.
Atria to acquire Ridderheims - specialist in delicatessen
Atria is acquiring AB Ridderheims Delikatesser, a specialist in premium
delicatessen products. Ridderheims' operations are to be combined with the
operations of Falbydgens Ost, a business unit of Atria Scandinavia. These
operations will together comprise the new business unit Atria Deli. The combined
business creates the finest and most comprehensive range of fresh delicatessen
products in the Nordic countries and paves the way for increased exports for
both companies.
The acquisition strengthens Atria's position in the fresh delicatessen market,
which is currently one of the fastest growing segments in the consumer goods
industry.
“Ridderheims' product range complements perfectly Atria's existing selection.
The primary goal of the acquisition is to create the strongest and most
attractive range of delicatessen products in the Nordic countries, but we also
expect to gain cost benefits", says Christer Åberg, MD of Atria Scandinavia.
Ridderheims currently exports its products to eleven countries. The acquisition
will allow it to increase its sales in Sweden and to improve its export share
even further, as Atria has a strong position and distribution network in
Finland, Denmark, the Baltic States and Russia. At the same time, Ridderheims'
network of distributors will enable Falbygdens Ost to export more of its
products.
Ridderheims was founded in 1987 and its net sales for the financial year 2007/08
was over 50 million euros. Its product range includes different kinds of
sausages, hams, cheeses, preserves and Tapas ingredients. Ridderheims will
retain its well-known brand and will remain in Gothenburg, where the company has
been based since the early days. The company has 110 employees. The main market
area is Sweden, but Ridderheims also exports delicatessen products to Norway,
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Holland, Belgium and Greece among others.
Atria has an annual net sales of about 1.3 billion euros and its main markets
are Finland and Sweden. In addition to Falbygdens Ost, other well-known Atria
brands in Sweden are among others Sibylla, Lithells, Arbogapastej, Pastejköket
and Lönneberga. Christer Lundin, the current GM of Falbygdens Ost, is in line to
become the new GM of Atria Deli.
“Ridderheims and Falbygdens Ost complement each other very well. Consumers come
across the two companies' products in the same place, on stores' delicatessen
counters. The new, stronger business unit will in future lead to new products
and offerings,” says Christer Lundin.
The acquisition requires the final approval of the competition authorities in
Sweden. This is expected to be granted by the end of June. Atria estimates that
the process of consolidating Ridderheims will begin on 1 July 2008.
For further information, please contact Matti Tikkakoski, President & CEO of
Atria Plc, tel. +358 50 2582 or Christer Åberg, MD of Atria Scandinavia, tel.
+46 703 90 6100.
ATRIA PLC
Matti Tikkakoski
President and CEO
DISTRIBUTION:
Helsinki Stock Exchange
Principal media
www.atria.fi