Altor to acquire Tresu Group

Tresu Group (“Tresu”), a leading manufacturer of high performance flexographic (“flexo”) inline printing machines, is to be acquired by Altor Fund IV (“Altor”). The Nordic Private Equity fund acquires the company from the current majority-owner Erhvervsinvest II K/S. The sale and purchase agreement was signed on May 11, 2017.

Tresu Group is a highly specialized company as a leading supplier in the production and delivery of flexo inline printing machines primarily in the food sector of the packaging manufacturing industry (primarily for packaging printed on cardboard – including for juice and milk) and accessories for flexo, offset and digital printing machines dedicated to a number of leading manufacturers in the graphic industry. Tresu is also a supplier of specialized solutions for the graphic production of niche products such as lottery tickets and hygiene products. In addition, Tresu is exposed to the fast growing market for industrial digital printers with their flexo surface treatment solutions, typically purchased with the digital printer.

The company is headquartered in Bjert, Kolding, with additional production and sales facilities in the United States, and sales and service offices in Germany, Italy, China and Japan. Tresu employs around 250 dedicated employees who, with their innovative solutions, serve the company’s global customers.

“Tresu’s customers are among the largest and most demanding in the industry with an unwavering focus on productivity, efficiency and service. Employees are our most important resource, “says COO Søren Maarssø. “We constantly focus on employee development and involvement and are always looking for highly skilled labor and talents to ensure continued development in the future.”, says Søren Maarssø, COO, Tresu Group. “Altor has a long-term investment horizon, and their experience with industrial technology is of great value for our future expansion plans.”

Søren Maarssø continues: “With Tresu’s latest breakthrough among some of the world’s largest food packaging manufacturers and surface treatment in the fast-growing digital printer market, we now focus on accelerating our growth in and outside the United States.”

“We are pleased with the development that Tresu has undergone, and the focused and highly profitable business the company has developed into,” says Thomas Marstrand, Managing Partner at Erhvervsinvest. “Together with management and the employees, we have been able to apply Tresu’s strong technical skills to enter new geographies and segments within the company’s core business. ”

“During the last 5-7 years, Tresu has created the foundation for an internationalization of its core business in flexographic printing technology,” says Thomas Kvorning, Director at Altor. “We look forward to working closely with Tresu’s management to realize the ambitious growth plans that await ahead.”

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory requirements and approvals.

For more information, please contact:
Thomas Kvorning, Director at Altor +45 29 29 73 05
Thomas Marstrand, Managing Partner at Erhvervsinvest +45 21 65 93 26
Søren Maarssø, COO at Tresu Group +45 21 63 34 50

About Tresu Group
Tresu is a highly specialized company offering flexible, customized solutions of flexo printing machines and ancillary products for flexo, digital and offset printing to the graphic industry. Tresu has over 30 years of experience and expertise in the development and production of solutions for this industry and supplies directly to end-customers and OEMs.

About Altor
Since inception, the family of Altor funds has raised some EUR 5.8 billion in total commitments. The funds have invested in excess of EUR 3.6 billion in more than 40 companies. The investments have primarily been made in medium-sized companies with the aim to create value through growth initiatives and operational improvements. Among current and past investments are Norican, Haarslev, Sonion, Ferrosan, Aalborg Industries and Helly Hansen. For more information visit www.altor.com

About Erhvervsinvest

Erhvervsinvest was established in 2004 and has since then raised some EUR 450 million in total commitments and made 24 platform investments in small and medium sized Danish companies. Among current and past investments are Ellegaard, Damolin, Mejerigaarden, G&O Maritime Group and Gaming. For more information visit www.erhvervsinvest.dk

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Nordic Capital has sold its remaining shares in Thule – now established as a global leader in the sports and outdoor industry

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Global leader in the sports and outdoor industry Thule sold by Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital Fund VII (“Nordic Capital”) has sold its remaining shares in Thule Group AB (“Thule”). Following the sale, Nordic Capital Funds no longer hold any shares in Thule, after a nine year holding period under which Thule has been transformed and developed into a consumer-oriented global leader in products for an active and mobile lifestyle.

“It has been rewarding to follow and support Thule’s journey to the modern and international consumer company it is today. Through support during rough patches and a strategy that has involved both investing in new business areas and divesting others, Thule is now a strong, profitable and established listed company”, says David Samuelson, board member in Thule and Director, NC Advisory AB, advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds.

Nordic Capital Fund VI acquired Thule in 2007 and in November 2014 Thule Group was listed on NASDAQ Stockholm. Under the motto “Active Life, Simplified”, the Thule Group offers products in four product categories:Sport&Cargo Carriers, such as bike carriers and roof boxes,Bags for Electronic Devices,Other Outdoor&Bagsincluding amongst others Sport & Travel Bags and Active with Kids, andWork Gear.

Nordic Capital Fund VI acquired Thule in 2007. During 2007, two larger acquisitions, Case Logic and UWS both located in the US, were made to strengthen the product offering. The global crisis in 2008 led to a focus on profitability improvement. In 2009, a new consumer-oriented strategy with a new global retail concept was introduced, followed by a launch of several new product areas as for example the Thule Crossover bags collection. In 2010 Nordic Capital Fund VII invested in Thule alongside Fund VI. Canadian based Chariot Carriers, one of the world’s leading designers and developers of multi-functional child carriers, was acquired in 2011 to further strengthen the focus on products making it easy for people to transport the things they cherish.

In 2014, the business area Trailer was divested in line with the strategic direction to focus the Thule Group’s business on outdoor and sport products for active consumers. Furthermore, the Towbar division was spun-off to become the separate stand-alone entity Brink Group, allowing both Thule and Brink to continue with full focus on their respective core businesses.

“We would like to thank the management and team of Thule for their hard work and collaboration. This is an example of a company where a combination of investments in product development, a new group structure, and focus on operational improvements have created a global leader that will be able to continue to develop going forward”, concludes David Samuelson.

Contact information:

Nordic Capital
Katarina Janerud, Communication Manager
NC Advisory AB, advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds
tel. +46 8 440 50 50
e-mail: katarina.janerud@nordiccapital.com

 

About Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital private equity funds have invested in mid-market companies primarily in the Nordic region since 1989. Through committed ownership and by targeting strategic development and operational improvements, Nordic Capital enables value creation in its investments. Nordic Capital Funds invest in companies in northern Europe and in selected investment opportunities internationally. The most recent fund is Nordic Capital Fund VIII with EUR 3.5 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. Nordic Capital Funds are based in Jersey, Channel Islands, and are advised by the NC Advisory companies in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the UK. For further information about Nordic Capital please see www.nordiccapital.com

 

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