Ratos, together with other owners, has decided on a refinancing of
Bisnode, whereby Ratos will receive a cash payment of approximately
SEK 605m. This refinancing has been made possible by the positive
earnings trend in recent years.
Bisnode is a leading European supplier of digital business
information and services within market, credit and product
information. Operations are conducted in five business areas and the
company has operations in 19 European countries. Bisnode has
approximately 3,000 employees.
Bisnode has had a strong sales and earnings trend since Ratos's
acquisition. Sales have risen by SEK 700m to approximately SEK 4,000m
while the EBITA margin has increased from 12% in 2005 to 17% for the
first nine months of 2007.
Ratos CEO, Arne Karlsson, comments: "Bisnode has seen favourable
development for a long time and will post record earnings for 2007.
The company has a strong balance sheet, good cash flows and our
assessment is that the company's future prospects remain positive.
Against this background we are now effecting a refinancing in order
to give the company a more effective capital structure."
As result of the refinancing, Ratos will receive SEK 605m, of which
SEK 360m will be paid in January and the remaining SEK 245m in April.
Ratos's consolidated book value for Bisnode will therefore be
adjusted downwards in conjunction with each payment, by a total of
SEK 605m. The refinancing will have no impact on Ratos's earnings.
Ratos's holding in Bisnode amounts to 70%.
For further information, please contact:
Arne Karlsson, CEO Ratos, +46 8 700 17 00
Clara Bolinder-Lundberg, Head of Corporate Communications, Ratos, +46
8 700 17 63
Financial calendar from Ratos:
Year-end report 2007 21 February 2008
AGM 2008 9 April 2008
Interim report January - March 2008 8 May 2008
Interim report January - June 2008 22 August 2008
Interim report January - September 2008 7 November 2008
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 offers investors a
unique investment opportunity. The equity of Ratos's investments is
approximately SEK 11 billion and a market capitalisation of
approximately SEK 26 billion. Ratos's holdings include AH Industries,
Anticimex, Arcus Gruppen, Bisnode, Camfil, Contex, DIAB, EuroMaint,
GS-Hydro, Haendig, Haglöfs, HL Display, HÅG/RH/RBM, Hägglunds Drives,
Inwido, Jøtul, Lindab, MCC, Medifiq Healthcare, Superfos and Other
holdings
