Ratos: Arcus acquires strategic brands
Ratos's subsidiary Arcus has concluded an agreement with Pernod
Ricard to acquire the brands Grönstedts Cognac, Star Gin, Red Port
and Dry Anis.
Arcus Gruppen is Norway's leading wine and spirits supplier. The
company was formed in 1996 on the initiative of the Norwegian
government and privatised in 2001. The group's best-known brands
include Linie Aquavit, Braastad Cognac, Vikingfjord Vodka, Hammer Gin
and Upper Ten Whisky. The Swedish wine agency Vingruppen was acquired
at the end of 2006. The number of employees is approximately 460."Acquisition of these four brands will give Arcus Gruppen a stronger
presence in Sweden as well as an opportunity to grow in Finland. The
deal will also generate significant synergy gains in the Norwegian
product portfolio," says Arcus Gruppen's CEO Jan Tore Føsund.
The four brands are market leaders in their respective product areas
and had combined sales of approximately SEK 54m in 2007. The deal
will provide Arcus Gruppen with significant additional earnings."It is positive that Arcus has this opportunity to acquire these four
strategic brands which fit in very well with our efforts to build a
Nordic platform within wine and spirits," says Leif Johansson,
Investment Director Ratos.
The acquisition of Grönstedts Cognac, Star Gin, Red Port and Dry Anis
is subject to approval from the relevant competition authorities
including approval by the European Commission, according to its
decision dated 17 July 2008. Ratos will not provide any capital in
conjunction with the acquisition.
Ratos's holding in Arcus Gruppen amounts to 83%.For further information, please contact:
Arne Karlsson, CEO Ratos, +46 8 700 17 00
Jan Tore Føsund, CEO Arcus Gruppen, +47 22 97 55 00
Clara Bolinder-Lundberg, Head of Corporate Communications Ratos, +46
8 700 17 63
Financial calendar from Ratos:
Year-End Report 2008 19 February 2009
Annual General Meeting 2009 2 April 2009
Interim Report January - March 2009 7 May 2009
Interim Report January - June 2009 20 August 2009
Interim Report January - September 5 November 2009
2009
Ratos is a listed private equity company. The business concept is to
maximise shareholder value over time by investing in, developing and
divesting primarily unlisted companies. Ratos offers investors a
unique investment opportunity. Ratos's equity is approximately SEK 11
billion and has a market capitalisation of approximately SEK 23
billion. Ratos's holdings include AH Industries, Anticimex, Arcus
Gruppen, Bisnode, Camfil, Contex, DIAB, EuroMaint, GS-Hydro, Haglöfs,
HL Display, Inwido, Jøtul, Lindab, MCC, Medisize, Scandinavian
Business Seating, Superfos and Other holdings.