Ratos sells SB Seating to Triton

2014-07-07

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

Ratos and co-owners have signed an agreement to sell all the shares in the
subsidiary SB Seating to the private equity fund Triton for approximately NOK
1,925m (enterprise value). Ratos receives approximately NOK 955m for its
holding. The sale generates a net exit gain for Ratos of approximately SEK 240m
and an average annual return (IRR) of approximately 14%. The sale is subject to
approval from the relevant regulatory authorities.
SB Seating develops and produces ergonomic office chairs in Scandinavian design
for private and public sector environments. The group markets three strong
brands, HÅG, RH and RBM, which are mainly sold through retail outlets. The group
has approximately 460 employees and is currently represented in Norway, Sweden,
Denmark, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Singapore. In
2013, SB Seating's sales totalled NOK 1,003m and EBITA amounted to NOK 201m.
Ratos acquired the three separate operations, HÅG, RH and RBM, in 2007 and
formed SB Seating. In recent years, the company's management and Ratos have
focused on improving the efficiency of production, sales and purchasing and on
strengthening market presence among other things through a continuous high rate
of product development and geographic expansion. Profitability has improved
significantly and the operating margin (EBITA) has risen from 13% in 2006 to
21% in 2013. Good profitability and strong cash flows have resulted in two
refinancings, in 2011 and 2013, totalling SEK 708m. Ratos's initial investment
amounted to SEK 747m and Ratos's net invested capital after the refinancings
amounted to approximately SEK 39m.
Ratos's CEO, Susanna Campbell, comments: "During our holding period, together
with the company's skilled management team, we have created Scandinavia's
leading and most profitable office chair manufacturer. Profitability and market
position have strengthened significantly through initiatives that have enhanced
productivity and efficiency and through major investment in product development,
this during a period when market conditions were challenging at times. Today the
company is well positioned for the future."
The selling price for 100% of the shares (equity value) at closing amounts to
approximately NOK 1,070m and enterprise value is today approximately NOK
1,925m. Ratos's share of the equity value amounts to SEK 955m with an estimated
exit gain of approximately SEK 240m. The final exit gain will be affected, among
other things, by Ratos's share of profits from SB Seating during the period
until final completion of the deal. The average annual return (IRR) amounts to
approximately 14%. Ratos's holding of ordinary shares in SB Seating is 85% and
economic ownership (ordinary shares and preference shares) is approximately
89%. Co-owners are the company's management and board members.
The sale is subject to approval from the relevant regulatory authorities and is
expected to be completed during the third quarter.
For further information, please contact:
Susanna Campbell, CEO Ratos, +46 8 700 17 00
Emma Rheborg, Head of Corporate Communications and IR, Ratos, +46 733 80 22 63
 Financial calendar from Ratos:
 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 22 billion.