Ratos: Haendig sells HDF-Bolagen

Ratos: Haendig sells HDF-BolagenHaendig has today concluded an agreement with Edw. H Thomée in Malmö for the sale of HDF-Bolagen. Over the past year, Haendig has carried out a strong concentration of its operations. Following the sale of HDF-Bolagen, the group will have a clear focus on strong own brands for the building trade and the DIY sector. Haendig's CEO, Thomas Holmgren, comments: "We are now concentrating on the strong brands Hafa, Westerbergs, Duri, Lundbergs and Sven Svenssons. With these operations we are planning for continued growth primarily in the Nordic market." Thomée together with HDF-Bolagen will be a strong player in the Nordic region with annual sales in excess of SEK 850m. In an industry where there is a substantial need for rational and efficient materials handling, the competitiveness of the two companies will now be strengthened. Through the sale HDF-Bolagen, which has annual sales of SEK 320m, Haendig will release over SEK 100m. The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms for the transaction. Haendig, which is 100% owned by Ratos, is an active trading company with a focus on strong own brands for the Nordic building and DIY trade. After the divestments now in progress, the group will comprise the subsidiaries Hafa Bathroom Group (with the Hafa and Westerbergs brands), Duri, Lundbergs Produkter and Sven Svenssons. Haendig's 2005 sales totalled approximately SEK 1,290m with a profit after tax of SEK 32m. For additional information, please contact:Stig Karlsson, Senior Investment Manager Ratos, +46 70-641 13 45Anna-Karin Celsing, Head of Corporate Communications Ratos, +46 70-399 62 39Thomas Holmgren, CEO Haendig, +46 705-736 700 Financial calendar from Ratos: Year-end report 2006 22 February 2007Annual General Meeting11 April 2007Interim report January-March9 May 2007Interim report January-June21 August 2007Interim report January-September9 November 2007 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 thus offers stock market players a unique investment opportunity. The equity of Ratos's investments is approximately SEK 9 billion. Ratos's holdings include Alimak Hek, Arcus, Anticimex, Bisnode, Bluegarden, Camfil, DIAB, GS-Hydro, Haendig, Haglöfs, HL Display, Hägglunds Drives, Inwido, Jøtul, Lindab, Medifiq Healthcare, Superfos and Other holdings.Attachment: Press release (PDF)Text version / Internet version / Print / Close