Month: April 2016

Renta’s development and growth is supported by many individuals with long experience in the industry and a private equity investor with significant experience from the construction sector.

Renta Group offers a wide range of construction machinery and equipment rental services. The company serves both corporate and retail customers through its local sites. Through acquisitions, the company already has a strong foothold in scaffolding, weather protection and construction site hut rental markets in the metropolitan area. Going forward, the target is to expand operations in other regions in Finland and to create a nationwide presence.

Renta benefits from strong industry knowledge and experience. CEO Kari Aulasmaa did a long career at Ramirent Group before his latest position as CEO of Inspecta Group. The company’s Board of Directors includes internationally recognized pioneers of equipment rental services, Erkki Norvio and Kari Kallio, both former CEOs of Ramirent Group. Board member Juhani Kattilakoski is one of the leading experts within scaffolding and weather protection.

“We believe that there will be demand for an entrepreneurial and innovative rental services provider with strong local presence. The aim is to create a new and interesting alternative for our customers. We look forward to developing the new company together with our customers”, says Kari Aulasmaa.

A Finnish private equity firm Intera Partners is the majority owner and provider of growth financing. Intera has a considerable experience in growth and market consolidation in the construction sector through, for example, Consti, Kreate, Rototec, Normek and Delete. The foundation for the new company has been established through acquisitions of Telinekymppi (leading scaffolding and weather protection services provider in the metropolitan area) and Jasoca (construction site hut rental services). Acquisition of Kehä-Kone provided Renta with concept and processes that can be applied to new sites opened across Finland. The owners and professional staff of all acquired companies will remain active at Renta.

Renta Group aims at substantial growth of its activities already during the first year of operation. It has plans to open approximately 12 new sites in Finland. Similar pace of growth is expected to continue in the following years.

Renta Group’s sites combine a modern equipment fleet and know-how of the best professionals. Operating model is based on services close to customers and nationwide presence.

“Our goal is to take advantage of new technologies. Furthermore, we also want to meet our customers face- to-face at our sites and construction sites all over Finland”, says Kari Aulasmaa.

Kamux Group was selected as the winner of the annual Growth Builder of the Year Award organized by the Finnish Venture Capital Association (FVCA). Growth Builder of the Year is a competition searching for the most interesting and inspiring growth story built together with a private equity investor. Kamux was chosen as the winner among 700 companies.

Kamux intends to continue strong growth in Finnish, Swedish and German markets. “It’s great to see international growth stories also in traditional industries. There are market opportunities also in established businesses,” commented the Chairman of the selection jury Teddie Wardi from Atomico. Karoliina Jarenko, Managing director of Filosofian Akatemia Oy and member of selection jury, was charmed by Kamux Group CEO Juha Kalliokoski’s strong passion for building and sustaining the growth. “Kamux has been very successful in inspiring its staff to superb performance,” commented Jarenko.

Private equity investor Intera Partners Oy invested in Kamux in 2011 to help the company grow in the European market. “We created a common vision for Kamux. In this vision international expansion had a key role and the plan has been realized brilliantly,” comments Jokke Paananen, CEO of Intera Partners and Member of the Board of Directors of Kamux.

“We are currently one of the largest used car sellers in the Nordic countries and want to grow further in Europe. A key success factor driving the growth is the fabulous Kamux staff and their commitment, “says the founder and CEO Juha Kalliokoski.

In addition to Kamux, the finalists were construction consulting, design and services provider Wise Group and global information, technology and consulting services company M-Brain.

“We want to highlight these spectacular growth stories to encourage other Finnish companies to explore ways to expand their operations. Private equity investors have an important role in supporting the growth and internationalization of companies. Growth is worth pursuing, and the Finnish economy benefits from these growth cases”, encourages the Finnish Venture Capital Association CEO Pia Santavirta.

Tuomas Kahri joined Intera as COO / Operating partner in March 2016. Tuomas has wide experience in business development, marketing and strategy. His latest role was the COO and business unit manager at Terveystalo. Previously Tuomas has been responsible of marketing and communications at Hartwall, and the global marketing and quality at KONE. In the earlier part of his career Tuomas spent 3 years with McKinsey & Company as well as with several other companies in marketing, strategy and business development roles.

“Tuomas brings us the knowhow to develop Intera. He will also be supporting our portfolio companies in recognizing and deploying the best operating models”, comments Intera’s CEO Jokke Paananen.

“Through Animagi and Royal Restaurants I have got to know several key persons at Intera and the way they work. My experiences were positive and we ended up in starting cooperation. I believe that with my experience I can bring new perspectives to Intera’s strong knowledge”, says Tuomas Kahri.

For more information, please contact Jokke Paananen, +358 9 2525 2200.