HL Display refinancing - releases approx. SEK 345m to Ratos

2014-03-12

This information is disclosed in accordance with the Securities Markets Act, the
    Financial Instruments Trading Act or demands made in the exchange rules.

Ratos's subsidiary HL Display has decided to carry out a refinancing and in
conjunction with this to pay approximately SEK 350m to the owners, whereby Ratos
will receive a cash payment of approximately SEK 345m. The refinancing has been
made possible by the company's favourable development and cash flow in recent
years.
HL Display is a global supplier of products and solutions for merchandising and
in-store communication with operations in 47 countries. Production takes place
in Poland, Sweden, China and the UK. HL Display has a total of approximately
1,150 employees.
Ratos CEO Susanna Campbell: "Our clear aim at the buyout from the stock exchange
in 2010 was to increase profitability in HL Display. As a result of action
programmes to improve production efficiency and a greater focus on control of
costs, the operating margin strengthened significantly in the past year. Good
cash flows, a strong balance sheet and continued favourable future prospects
mean that we can now refinance HL Display. We will continue to focus on improved
profitability and at the same time take advantage of the opportunities for
growth that exist in the company."
In conjunction with the refinancing, HL Display will pay a total of
approximately SEK 350m to its owners, of which Ratos will receive a cash payment
of approximately SEK 345m. Net debt amounts to approximately SEK 660m after the
refinancing (based on net debt per 31 December 2013). The refinancing will not
affect the Ratos Group's earnings.
Ratos became an owner of 29% in HL Display in conjunction with the acquisition
of Atle in 2001. In 2010, Ratos acquired a majority shareholding and did a
buyout from Nasdaq OMX Stockholm. Ratos's holding in HL Display currently
amounts to 99% and consolidated book value was SEK 1,130m at 31 December 2013. A
refinancing was also carried out in 2010 where Ratos received approximately SEK
400m. Ratos's net invested capital in HL Display after the refinancings is
approximately SEK 410m.
For further information, please contact:
Susanna Campbell, CEO, +46 8 700 17 00
Emma Rheborg, Head of Corporate Communications & IR, +46 8 700 17 20
Financial calendar from Ratos:
Annual General Meeting 2014           27 March 2014
Interim Report January-March 2014     8 May 2014
Interim Report January-June 2014      14 August 2014
Interim Report January-September 2014 7 November 2014

Ratos is a private equity conglomerate. The company's mission is to maximise
shareholder value over time through the professional, active and responsible
exercise of its ownership role in primarily medium to large unlisted Nordic
companies. Ratos's holdings include AH Industries, Aibel, Arcus-Gruppen, Biolin
Scientific, Bisnode, DIAB, Euromaint, GS-Hydro, Hafa Bathroom Group, HENT, HL
Display, Inwido, Jøtul, KVD, Mobile Climate Control, Nebula, Nordic Cinema Group
and SB Seating. Ratos is listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm and market
capitalisation amounts to approximately SEK 21 billion.