This information is disclosed in accordance with the Securities Markets Act, the
Financial Instruments Trading Act or demands made in the exchange rules.
Ratos's subsidiary Bisnode has signed agreement to sell the company "Wer liefert
Was?"(WLW) in Austria, Germany and Switzerland to the German private equity
company Paragon Partners. This divestment is part of Bisnode's strategy to focus
on growth and development of the core business. The selling price amounts to EUR
79m (approx. SEK 710m) and is expected to generate a capital gain in Bisnode of
approximately EUR 20m. In conjunction with completion of this deal, Bisnode will
issue a dividend of approximately SEK 215m to its owners, of which Ratos's share
will amount to approximately SEK150m.
WLW, which offers online search services for companies, has a leading market
position in the German-speaking countries. The company was founded in 1932 and
has approximately 200 employees and is headquartered in Hamburg. Sales in 2010
totalled EUR 31.1m. Bisnode acquired WLW in 2008.
Fredrik Ã…kerman, Acting CEO of Bisnode, comments: "WLW has developed well over
the last four years and today has a good platform for growth in online supplier
search services. Bisnode's strategy is to focus on development and growth of the
core business. We have therefore decided to sell WLW since these operations have
a different business model and limited synergies with our other business."
The selling price amounts to EUR 79m and the enterprise value is EUR 55.5m. The
capital gain in Bisnode is expected to amount to EUR 20m. The average annual
return (IRR) on Bisnode's investment in WLW amounts to approximately 29%. The
transaction is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2012. In
conjunction with completion of this deal, Bisnode will issue a dividend of
approximately SEK 215m to its owners, of which Ratos's share will amount to
approximately SEK 150m.
Bisnode is a leading European provider of digital business information with
services within market, credit and business information. Using Bisnode's
services companies can increase their sales, reduce their risks and improve
their day-to-day business decisions. Operations are conducted in 17 countries in
Europe. Ratos's holding amounts to 70% and the remaining 30% is owned by
Bonnier.
For further information, please contact:
Arne Karlsson, CEO, Ratos, +46 703 79 79 79
Fredrik Ã…kerman, Acting CEO, Bisnode, +46 704 15 23 65
Emma Rheborg, Head of Corporate Communications and IR, Ratos, +46 733 80 22 63
Financial calendar from Ratos:
Year-end report 2011 16 February 2012
Annual General Meeting 18 April 2012
Interim Report January - March 2012 8 May 2012
Interim Report January - June 2012 17 August 2012
Interim Report January - September 2012 9 November 2012
Ratos is a private equity conglomerate. The company's mission is to maximise
shareholder value over time through the professional, active and responsible
exercise of its ownership role in primarily medium to large unlisted Nordic
companies. Ratos's holdings include AH Industries, Anticimex, Arcus-Gruppen,
Biolin Scientific, Bisnode, Contex, DIAB, Euromaint, Finnkino, GS-Hydro, Hafa
Bathroom Group, HL Display, Inwido, Jøtul, KVD Kvarndammen, Lindab,
Mobile Climate Control, SB Seating and Stofa. Ratos is listed on Nasdaq OMX
Stockholm and market capitalisation amounts to approximately SEK 25.
Press release PDF:
http://hugin.info/1180/R/1573613/489794.pdf
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originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Ratos via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1573613]
