Bisnode is one of Europe's leading suppliers of digital business information with services within market, credit and product information. Ratos became a principal owner of Bisnode in 2005 when Ratos's associated company Infodata merged with Bonnier Business Information. Since then the company has strengthened its leading position in the European market through some 20 strategic acquisitions. The company has approximately 3,000 employees. Bisnode has enjoyed a highly positive profitability trend in recent years and sales in 2007 totalled SEK 3,899m with an operating profit (EBITA) of SEK 580m. 

WLW (Wer liefert was?) offers supplier search services on the internet and the company has a strong market position in the German-speaking countries of Europe. The head office is located in Hamburg and the company has some 250 employees. Sales in 2007 amounted to SEK 355m and operating profit before depreciation (EBITDA) was SEK 73m.

"WLW is an ideal partner for our Product Databases & Tradepress business area. The acquisition will provide significant synergy gains while strengthening our customer offering," says Bisnode's CEO Johan Wall.

Ratos will provide equity of SEK 288m to Bisnode in conjunction with the acquisition of WLW. Ratos's holding in Bisnode amounts to 70%, the remainder is owned by Bonnier Holding AB.

The acquisition of WLW is subject to approval from the relevant competition authorities.

For further information, please contact:

Arne Karlsson, CEO Ratos, +46 8 700 17 00

Bo Jungner, Investment Director Ratos, +46 8 700 17 85

Johan Wall, CEO Bisnode, +46 8 507 140 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 2009	5 November 2009