Dacke Group signs letter of intent to acquire Softcom.

Dacke Group Nordic is signing a letter of intent to acquire Softcom Customer Care, one of Sweden’s leading companies within the customer service business. The acquisition of Softcom is one of a series made, in order to shortly establish Dacke’s business area Research & Analysis, as a market leader within integrated customer service and market research, in the geographical area of the New Nordic Countries. Softcom has turnover of approx. SEK 170 million and today is represented in nine locations around the Nordic Countries as well as in the Baltic States and Poland. Among the customers are Telenor (previously Vodafone in Sweden), Ellos, EoN, Dagens Nyheter and Bredbandsbolaget. In the Nordic Countries, the growing customer service and call-centre industry has turnover slightly more than SEK 17 billion, while the research industry has a turnover of SEK 6.5 billion. Dacke’s ambition is to integrate businesses within these markets by means of additional acquisitions. ”With the acquisition of Softcom, Dacke’s business area Research & Analysis now takes a dominant position in the expansive and lucrative market in the New Nordic Countries”, says Urban von Euler President of Dacke Group Nordic AB. ”This lies completely in line with our declared strategy of expanding this business area by means of acquisitions. Here, there are co-ordination benefits that generate earning power both for the customers and for Dacke. Within the near future, we are going to carry out further significant and strategic acquisitions”, concludes Urban von Euler. The acquisition of Softcom will preferably be carried out through a non-cash issue to the sellers. Dacke Group Nordic’s turnover will pro forma amount to over SEK 600 million and the business area Research & Analysis will pro forma have sales of approximately SEK million. Dacke will apply for a listing on either the OMX Nordic list (equivalent to today’s O list at the OM Stockholm Stock Exchange), or alternatively on the AIM list at the London Stock Exchange. For additional information: Urban von Euler, CEO and President, Dacke Group Nordic AB urban.von.euler@dackegroup.com tel: 08-41 22 871 Per Spångberg, CEO and President, Softcom AB Per.spangberg@softcom.se tel: 08-407 46 64 For press material and photographs: Sonja Catani, Communications Manager, Dacke Group Nordic AB sonja.catani@dackegroup.com tel: 08-41 22 873 Dacke Group Nordic is an investment company specialised in acquiring and developing companies within the marketing communication industry in the New Nordic Countries. The company is listed on the Nya Marknaden at the OM Stockholm Stock Exchange and will apply for a listing on the OMX Nordic list (equivalent to today’s O list at the OM Stockholm Stock Exchange) or alternatively on the AIM list at the London Stock Exchange, during next year. The Group’s business is divided into four business areas; Interactive Communication, Advertising & Branding, Research & Analysis as well as Meetings & Events. Today, the following companies are part of the Group; 24 HR, Byrån 1&2, Dimant, Frank Kommunikation, Hansen Conference & Event, Hermelin Nordic Research, Relevant Information, United Power and Venture Communication. All companies are 100 per cent owned by Dacke Group Nordic. The ambition is to continue the expansion by means of acquisitions and to invest further within the marketing communication industry.