Ratos's subsidiary Arcus Gruppen has signed an agreement on the sale
of the property in Hasle in central Oslo. The purchaser is Höegh
Eiendom together with Bunde Eiendom and the purchase price amounts to
NOK 983 million. The sale will generate a capital gain for Arcus
Gruppen of approximately NOK 651 million.
Arcus Gruppen, which is a Ratos subsidiary, is Norway's leading wine
and spirits supplier. The group's best-known brands include Løiten,
Linie Aquavit, Braastad Cognac and Vikingfjord Vodka. Sales in 2006
amounted to NOK 965 million with an operating profit of NOK 83
million.
The property in Hasle has a total area of 92,000 square metres and
comprises Arcus Gruppen's production and distribution plant for wine
and spirits products. As a result of the sale, Arcus Gruppen will
move its production plant to another property in the Oslo area within
a year or two. During the interim period, Arcus Gruppen will
therefore remain in the property in Hasle.
Arcus Gruppen CEO Jan Tore Føsund comments on the sale of the Hasle
property: "This sale is a very good deal for Arcus Gruppen and means
that we will be able to move into more effective and suitable
production facilities here in the Oslo region.
The sale will generate a capital gain for Arcus Gruppen of
approximately NOK 651 million and will be reported in the 2007
six-month report.
Ratos's holding in Arcus Gruppen amounts to 83%.
For further information, please contact:
Leif Johansson, Investment Director Ratos, +46 8 700 17 00
Clara Bolinder-Lundberg, IR Ratos, +46 8 700 1763
Jan Tore Føsund, CEO Arcus Gruppen, +47 22 97 55 00
Financial calendar from Ratos:
Interim report January-March 9 May 2007
Interim report January-June 21 August 2007
Interim report January-September 9 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 11 billion. Ratos's holdings include
Anticimex, Arcus Gruppen, Bisnode, Bluegarden, Camfil, DIAB,
GS-Hydro, Haendig, Haglöfs, HL Display, Hägglunds Drives, Inwido,
Jøtul, Lindab, Medifiq Healthcare, RH/RBM, Superfos and Other
holdings.
