Increased focus on growth after completed Bokusgruppen distribution
Volati has completed the in-kind distribution of all shares in Bokusgruppen to Volati’s ordinary shareholders. The distribution has generated Volati a capital gain of approximately SEK 106 million. Volati is now focusing on continued growth through acquisitions and development of the two fast-growing business areas Salix Group and Industry.
Bokusgruppen has shown positive development since Volati’s acquisition in 2017. Under Volati’s ownership, there has been an emphasis on profitability improvement measures and digital business development, which means that the business is now characterised by good profitability and strong growth in the digital channels. Digital channel sales increased by 37 percent in the first quarter of 2021 and accounted for 54 percent of Bokusgruppen’s total sales. The market position is strong, with successful digital channels such as Bokus.com, Akademibokhandeln.se and BokusPlay and the company has a clear ambition to continue the digital growth journey.
“I would like to thank very sincerely Bokusgruppen’s management and employees, who have worked with Volati to successfully develop stable profitability for the company and advance the digital channels’ positions very clearly. Bokusgruppen is well equipped to operate as an independent listed company and we wish them every success on the continuing growth journey. A listing is also a natural development step as it helps to make Bokusgruppen’s value transparent and creates increased interest in the company in general and among new investor groups. The distribution also means that we have created value for Volati and our ordinary shareholders, which is very gratifying for us,” says Volati CEO Andreas Stenbäck.
Trading in Bokusgruppen’s shares on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market began on Friday, 4 June 2021. The distribution of Bokusgruppen has generated Volati a capital gain of approximately SEK 106 million. The distribution has not produced any cash effects for Volati.
Good conditions for Volati’s continuing growth journey
Volati’s operations are now conducted in two business areas – Salix Group and Industry. Both business areas are characterised by well-managed, fast-growing operations with leading market positions – EBITA growth in the first quarter of 2021 was 70 percent for Salix Group and 63 percent for Industry.
“The streamlined structure with two clear business areas and more decentralised decision-making for the Salix Group business area means that Volati can now increase the focus on identifying new acquisitions – both synergistic add-on acquisitions and platform acquisitions aimed at broadening Volati’s operations to attractive new growth areas. With two fast-growing businesses, a proven successful business model and plenty of scope for acquisitions, we are well positioned for continued growth and long-term value creation for our shareholders,” says Andreas Stenbäck.
For further information, please contact:
Andreas Stenbäck, CEO Volati AB, +46 70 889 09 60, andreas.stenback@volati.se
Volati AB (publ)
Engelbrektsplan 1, SE-114 34 Stockholm
Tel: +46 8 21 68 40
Email: info@volati.se
Corp. reg. no.: 556555-4317
About Volati
Volati is a Swedish industrial group, founded in 2003, consisting of the business areas Salix Group and Industry. Volati mainly acquires companies with proven business models, leading market positions and strong cash flows at reasonable valuations and develops them with a focus on long-term value creation. The strategy is to build on the companies’ identity and entrepreneurial spirit, adding leadership, expertise, processes and financial resources. Volati has operations in 16 countries, approximately 1,500 employees and annual sales of just over SEK 5 billion. Volati’s ordinary shares and preference shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Further information is available at www.volati.se.