Author: Elina Härkönen

Intera Equity Partners acquires a majority interest in Trafotek Oy, a quality supplier of inductive components for power electronics industries. The current owners, Mr Rauno Mattila and his daughters Ms Jaana Kotro and Ms Nina Arvonen will retain a 30% ownership stake in the company.

The current development of the electrical engineering sector is driven by global trends, such as energy efficiency, energy quality requirements and renewable energy production.

“Trafotek is an integral part of the Finnish electrical engineering competence cluster. The company’s customers include leading players in the electrical engineering sector. We are proud to become a part of this success story. Our expertise and resources will help Trafotek achieve its business development and internationalization targets. We are confident that Trafotek will grow and develop as a company in the coming years”, says Heikki Kivirinta, Director at Intera Equity Partners.

“Intera will provide valuable competencies in internationalization and strategic planning, and better opportunities to grow in line with our customers’ businesses in Finland and globally,” says Rauno Mattila, Trafotek’s Chairman of the Board.

“We will continue to develop and grow Trafotek’s production, as well as product development, quality and design capabilities according to our customers’ needs.  We aim to ensure the continuous improvement of our customer-oriented business model and maintain cost-effectiveness in manufacturing. Pertti Arvonen will continue as Trafotek’s CEO, and become a shareholder in the company,” says Mattila.

For more information:

Heikki Kivirinta, Director, Intera Equity Partners Oy, tel +358 50 5322 667, heikki.kivirinta@interapartners.fi

Rauno Mattila, Chairman of the Board, Trafotek Oy, tel +358 400 224 023,
rauno.mattila@trafotek.fi

Pertti Arvonen, CEO, Trafotek Oy, tel +358 40 5140 565,
pertti.arvonen@trafotek.fi

Intera Fund I, advised by Intera Equity Partners, acquires a majority of the shares in the Swedish berries and wild game producer Polarica. At the same time, Hartwall Capital comes in as a minority owner.  Together with the current management, the new owners’ ambition is to build up a leading international group for berries, mushrooms and wild game.

The company is being sold by its founder Allan Lehto who, following completion of the deal, will be left with a significant minority share, and Sjätte AP-fonden, a fund that is selling its holding and thereafter will be an indirect owner through Intera Fund I.

“I have been building Polarica for nearly 40 years, so I have been extremely careful in my choice of company to carry on with my life’s work. I feel enormous enthusiasm for the new owners and the management group’s vision for developing Polarica into a successful global company,” says 71-year-old Allan Lehto, founder of Polarica.

“Polarica will continue to be developed into a company whose brand is a guarantee of high-quality raw materials that meet consumers’ demands for wholesome, organic and responsibly-produced products. We are looking forward to making this journey with the present management and Hartwall Capital,” says Martin Grotenfelt, partner at Intera Equity Partners Oy and the new executive director of Polarica AB.

Up until now, founder Allan Lehto and his family owned 80 per cent of Polarica, 15 per cent was owned by Sjätte AP-fonden and 5 per cent by CEO Tommy Innala. In the new ownership constellation, Intera will own fully 50 per cent of the company, Hartwall Capital 20 per cent, the Lehto family 18 per cent, and Tommy Innala 5 per cent. The rest of the management and board of directors will, as a part of the transaction, be offered the opportunity to invest in the company.

Polarica was founded in 1972 and specialises in high-quality food production. The company is Europe’s leading supplier of wild and cultivated berries as well as game such as venison and elk. Customers include the food industry, large institutions and restaurant wholesalers, retailers and the pharmaceutical industry. Polarica has its head office in Haparanda and processing plants for berries in Sweden, Finland and Poland. The company currently has turnover of approximately SEK 750 million

For further information please contact: Martin Grotenfelt, partner at Intera Equity Partners, +358 50 2145

Consti Yhtiöt, one of the leading comprehensive building renovation companies in Finland, acquires PutkiReformi Oy. After the transaction Consti Yhtiöt’s annual pro forma turnover reaches EUR 150 million and the number of employees exceeds 700.

PutkiReformi is known as an innovative water and sewer piping renovator with nation-wide operations in Finland. PutkiReformi’s solutions ensure faster renovation times than by using traditional methods. In 2009, the company’s turnover was EUR 10 million and they employed 70 professionals.

“The acquisition extends our business especially in the apartment building sector. With both the traditional and new methods now available, we offer top expertise throughout the field,” states Consti Yhtiöt’s CEO Antti Korkeela.

“Our target is to represent the best renovation solutions in all our business areas. What is more, this step further increases our competitiveness and geographical coverage,” complements Director Lasse Mäkelä at Consti.

PutkiReformi’s CEO Jan-Erik Luther says joining Consti is the best way for growth for his organization. “Now we are a part of the country’s leading building system contractor.”

For additional information, please contact:

Janne Näränen, Partner, Intera Equity Partners Oy, phone +358 50 566 4869, janne.naranen@interapartners.fi

Antti Korkeela, CEO, Consti Yhtiöt, phone +358 400 485 949

Lasse Mäkelä, Director (Acquisitions and Finance), Consti Yhtiöt, phone +358 40 7533 844

Jan-Erik Luther, CEO, PutkiReformi, phone +358 20 794 0058

Intera invests in Toivonen Yhtiöt, a Finnish demolition and waste processing specialist. The founder Antero Toivonen continues as CEO and co-owner.

Toivonen Yhtiöt is specialised in demanding demolition projects in Finland as well as waste processing from industrial, construction and retail sources in southern Finland.

”The requirements in industrial and construction waste processing are getting tighter. Companies can benefit from committing to professional recycling. The more waste is returned to use, the more energy and recycled building material is available for industries and construction companies,” Intera’s Senior Advisor Erkki Norvio explains.

“There are few established players in demolition as well as industrial and construction waste processing even though the need to solve the waste challenge is greater than ever,” Norvio points out.

”We believe that the global trends of increasing energy efficiency and recycling as well as Toivonen’s strong market position form an excellent basis for growth. Antero Toivonen and his staff have worked for 20 years to create a leading modern recycling business,” states Intera’s Partner Janne Näränen.

CEO Antero Toivonen emphasises the company’s operative strengths:
”We commit ourselves to prompt project management. Intera’s support provides us with improved growth opportunities,” Toivonen comments.

Further information:

Erkki Norvio, Senior Advisor, Intera Equity Partners Oy, Tel. +358 400 410 977 erkki.norvio@interapartners.fi

Janne Näränen, Partner, Intera Equity Partners Oy, Tel. +358 50 566 4869 janne.naranen@interapartners.fi

Consti Yhtiöt, one of the leading comprehensive building renovation companies in Finland, acquires Saneerausliike Myllymäki and Jalora Group, two façade renovation companies. After these transactions Consti Yhtiöt’s façade business’s pro forma turnover is approximately EUR 45 million.

Saneerausliike Myllymäki specializes in façade renovations in southern Finland whereas Jalora Group operates in the Tampere and Oulu regions. Myllymäki is renowned as an expert of thin plastering techniques. Jalora Group focuses on renovations of traditional and historical façades as well as on demanding glazing projects.

– Myllymäki and Jalora complement our façade offering strategically. We enter new regions in Finland and extend our portfolio of renovation techniques, says Lasse Mäkelä, Consti Yhtiöt’s Director of Acquisitions and Financing.

– This move gives us further competitiveness. I expect to see even higher customer satisfaction because of a wider choice in expertise and locations. I believe this will eventually grow our market share, concludes Risto Kivi, Managing Director of Raitayhtiöt, Consti Yhtiöt’s façade renovation company.

The top management of Myllymäki and Jalora Group will continue to lead their respective companies. They will also become owners of Consti Yhtiöt.

After these transactions Consti Yhtiöt’s annual pro forma turnover exceeds EUR 130 million and the number of employees amounts to approximately 550.

For additional information:

Erkki Norvio, Consti Yhtiöt, Chairman, phone: +358 400 410 977
Janne Näränen, Intera Equity Partners, phone: +358 50 566 4869

Consti Yhtiöt, one of the leading comprehensive building renovation companies in Finland, acquires Rakennus-Lundén Oy. After the transaction Consti Yhtiöt’s annual pro forma turnover exceeds EUR 120 million and the number of employees exceeds 500.

Rakennus-Lundén Oy is a well-known construction company in the Turku region in southwestern Finland. The company has a strong reputation for large renovation projects. Lunden’s recent projects in central Turku include the Kop-Kolmio property and Turun Sanomat headquarters. In 2009 Lunden’s turnover was ca. EUR 9 million and the company has 25 employees.

Janne Lundén will continue as the CEO of Rakennus-Lundén and he will also become an owner of Consti Yhtiöt. He is confident about the new opportunities Consti’s more versatile offering brings to his clients. “We believe Consti’s concept supports both our business and family company values. We share the group’s growth and development vision,” he concludes.

Consti’s CEO Antti Korkeela is pleased to announce the acquisition. With Rakennus-Lundén, Consti Yhtiöt gets a strong foothold in the important Turku region. “This further strengthens our network in major Finnish economic centers. All our companies have the same goal – to offer comprehensive renovation projects from large to small,” he emphasizes.

For additional information:

Erkki Norvio, Consti Yhtiöt, Chairman, phone: +358 400 410 977
Janne Näränen, Intera Equity Partners, phone: +358 50 566 4869

Consti Yhtiöt, one of the leading comprehensive building renovation companies in Finland, acquires Rakennus-Lundén Oy. After the transaction Consti Yhtiöt’s annual pro forma turnover exceeds EUR 120 million and the number of employees exceeds 500.

Rakennus-Lundén Oy is a well-known construction company in the Turku region in southwestern Finland. The company has a strong reputation for large renovation projects. Lunden’s recent projects in central Turku include the Kop-Kolmio property and Turun Sanomat headquarters. In 2009 Lunden’s turnover was ca. EUR 9 million and the company has 25 employees.

Janne Lundén will continue as the CEO of Rakennus-Lundén and he will also become an owner of Consti Yhtiöt. He is confident about the new opportunities Consti’s more versatile offering brings to his clients. “We believe Consti’s concept supports both our business and family company values. We share the group’s growth and development vision,” he concludes.

Consti’s CEO Antti Korkeela is pleased to announce the acquisition. With Rakennus-Lundén, Consti Yhtiöt gets a strong foothold in the important Turku region. “This further strengthens our network in major Finnish economic centers. All our companies have the same goal – to offer comprehensive renovation projects from large to small,” he emphasizes.

For additional information:

Erkki Norvio, Consti Yhtiöt, Chairman, phone: +358 400 410 977
Janne Näränen, Intera Equity Partners, phone: +358 50 566 4869

Orthex, a portfolio company of Intera Fund I, continues to strengthen its position as one of the Nordic market leaders in plastic household products with the acquisition of Hammarplast Consumer AB, a Swedish plastic household products manufacturer. The acquisition sees Orthex double its turnover to some €56m and increase its number of employees to around 300.

“This purchase is a sound next step for our business, as we seek growth in segments that are the most logical fit with us. Hammarplast is an interesting and extremely well-managed business with products and know-how that make it an ideal addition to Orthex. What we have here are two highly successful businesses made even stronger through this acquisition. Hammarplast’s extensive distribution and sales network will also allow us to roll out our international expansion plans,” said Alexander Rosenlew, CEO at Orthex, commenting on the purchase.

The Finnish private equity firm Intera Equity Partners, which in 2009 acquired a majority stake in Orthex from Kari and Tiina Kallonen, is a major contributor to the company’s growth strategy. In January 2010, Orthex doubled its turnover through the acquisition of the Sweden-based Sveico AB, a leading Nordic kitchen utensils manufacturer.

“The recent acquisition of Hammarplast Consumer following a year after the acquisition of Sveico is integral to our growth strategy. The expansion will bolster our performance and we can see major potential for leveraging genuine synergy benefits through our sales, research and development, distribution and supply chain functions,” commented Martin Grotenfelt, partner at Intera and board member of Orthex.

For additional information:
Martin Grotenfelt, Intera Equity Partners, Partner, tel.  +358 50 2145

Hammarplast Consumer AB was founded in 1947 and has today established itself as one of the leading Nordic manufacturers of plastic household products. Harmmarplast’s domestic storage systems are marketed internationally under the SmartStore brand and its Home and Garden product lines are marketed in northern Europe under the Hammarplast brand. The company has some 160 employees and its revenues amount to approx. €30 million.

Orthex Group is a leading Nordic designer, producer and marketer of household products. The group consists of two companies, Sveico and Orthex, and its products are sold under four well-known consumer brands: Sveico, Gastromax, Kökskungen and Orthex. The revenue of Orthex Group amounted to approx. €26 million in 2010.

Oy Orthex Ab, a portfolio company of Intera Fund I, acquires 100% of the shares in Swedish Sveico AB. Sveico is one of the leading producers of kitchen utensils in the Nordic region.

Intera’s portfolio company Orthex grows through a merger with Sveico AB, a Swedish producer of kitchen utensils. The revenue of the combined entity will exceed €25m and the number of employees will amount to over 130.

The merger with Sveico is a part of Orthex’s strategy to become a leading North European supplier of affordable household products. Orthex’s CEO Kari Kallonen comments: “Acquisition of Sveico creates plenty of opportunities both in Finland and Sweden as well as in the other Nordic countries. We have practically no overlapping products and the brands of the both companies are well known.”

“Year 2009 was the best year ever for Orthex both in terms of revenue and profitability. We have a strong and determined strategy in place which will now start to become visible to the customers of Orthex and Sveico”, says Martin Grotenfelt, Partner at Intera and a Board Member of Orthex.

Sveico AB was founded in 1914 and is currently one of the leading producers of kitchen utensils in the Nordic region. Sveico’s products are sold in almost all the major central chains and discount stores in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The company has three familiar consumer brands: Sveico, GastroMax and Kökskungen. Sveico has operations in Gnosjö and Vesterås, Sweden.

Oy Orthex Ab is a Finnish producer and marketer of household plastic products. Orthex’s products are versatile and affordable every-day household items. The company was established in 1956 in its current premises in Lohja, Finland. During the years, Orthex has grown from a small workshop to the largest producer of household plastic products in Finland. Orthex’s revenue in 2009 amounted to approx. €12.5m.

For additional information: Martin Grotenfelt, Intera Equity Partners, Partner, tel. +358 50 2145

Consti Yhtiöt aquires renowned JRH-Yhtiöt and expands to renConsti Yhtiöt, one of the leading comprehensive building renovation companies in Finland, acquires JRH-Yhtiöt and Katajanokan Vesi ja Lämpö. After the transactions Consti Yhtiöt’s annual pro forma turnover exceeds EUR 100 million and the number of employees exceeds 400.

JRH-Yhtiöt is a general renovation contractor operating in the Helsinki metropolitan area that specializes in renovation of business-, hotel-, restaurant-, and residential premises. JRH has lately been involved e.g. in the restoration contract of the Savoy-teatteri. Other recent projects are Hotelli Haven and restaurant Salutorget in Helsinki. In 2008 JRH’s turnover amounted to approximately EUR 37 million and number of employees was around 120.

Katajanokan Vesi ja Lämpö is a major building systems contractor for residential buildings in the Helsinki metropolitan area. In 2008 the company’s turnover totaled approximately EUR 4 million and it employed 32 people.

Antti Korkeela, CEO of JRH, emphasizes the fact that there is a growing demand in the market for a company that can offer a wide range of building renovation services.

The owners of JRH-Yhtiöt and Katajanokan Vesi ja Lämpö will continue as shareholders and managers in Consti Yhtiöt.

For additional information:
Erkki Norvio, Consti Yhtiöt, Chairman, phone: +358 400 410 977
Janne Näränen, Intera Equity Partners, phone: +358 50 566 4869