Ratos: Kenneth Hamnes new CEO of Arcus-Gruppen

2015-05-19

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

Kenneth Hamnes has been appointed as the new President and CEO of Arcus-Gruppen, one of the Nordic region's leading suppliers of wine and spirits.  Kenneth has many years' experience of leading positions within companies in the FMCG sector, most recently as CEO of the Norwegian snack foods manufacturer Maarud. He is expected to take up his position in the autumn and will succeed Otto Drakenberg, who has chosen to resign after four years as CEO.

Kenneth Hamnes, born 1970, has many years' experience in the FMCG sector. As CEO of the Norwegian snack foods manufacturer Maarud for the past six years, he successfully developed the company with a focus on both growth and profitability. His previous experience includes leading positions within marketing and sales in the Orkla Group as well as working as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group.

Kenneth will succeed Otto Drakenberg who is resigning as CEO of Arcus-Gruppen after four years of intensive commuting between Stockholm and Oslo.  

Susanna Campbell, CEO of Ratos, comments: "Arcus-Gruppen has developed very well over the past ten years and has progressed from a Norwegian spirits manufacturer to become one of the leading suppliers of wine and spirits in the Nordic region. Otto has made a successful contribution to this good performance and strengthened our market position. He is now handing over to Kenneth who will continue to focus on Nordic expansion from a stable platform. I regard his broad experience of developing consumer brands and driving growth as highly positive for Arcus-Gruppen's continued development."

Arcus-Gruppen was acquired in 2005 and is today a leading supplier of wine and spirits in the Nordic region. The company's best known brands within spirits include Aalborg Akvavit, Lysholm Linie Aquavit, Braastad Cognac, Gammel Dansk and Vikingfjord Vodka. Within wine, Arcus has both its own brands and agency operations. The number of employees totals approximately 450 and in 2014 Arcus-Gruppen's sales amounted to NOK 2,339m with an operating profit (EBITA) of NOK 225m.

For further information, please contact:
Mikael Norlander, Senior Investment Manager, +46 8 700 17 00
Elin Ljung, Head of Corporate Communications, +46 8 700 17 20

Financial calendar from Ratos:
Interim report January-June 2015	14 August 2015
Interim report January-September 2015	6 November 2015

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 unlisted medium sized 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, Ledil, Mobile Climate Control, Nebula and Nordic Cinema Group. Ratos is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and market capitalisation amounts to approximately SEK 20 billion.