SB Seating refinancing - releases about SEK 305m to Ratos

2011-12-22

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

Ratos subsidiary SB Seating has decided to carry out a refinancing of NOK 250m,
and in connection thereof make a cash payment of NOK 273m (approx. SEK 315m) to
the owners whereby Ratos will receive approximately SEK 305m. The refinancing
has been made possible by the company's favourable development and cash flow in
recent years.
SB Seating develops and produces ergonomic office chairs in Scandinavian design
for private and public environments. The group markets three strong brands, HÅG,
RH and RBM, which are mainly sold through retail outlets. The group is
represented today in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the UK, Benelux and
France.
Ratos's CEO, Arne Karlsson, comments: "Since Ratos's acquisition in 2007, SB
Seating has completed a large number of improvement projects and the company has
enjoyed commercial success with new products and increased market shares.
Operating profit today is higher than it was in 2007 despite a 17% decline in
sales due to the weak macroeconomic development. We are able to carry out this
refinancing due to good cash flows, a strong balance sheet and continued good
future prospects."
In connection with the refinancing SB Seating will carry out a cash payment of
NOK 273m to the owners whereby Ratos will receive NOK 264m (approximately SEK
305m), of which approximately NOK 220m will be paid in December and NOK 44m in
March. The refinancing will not affect Ratos's earnings. Ratos's holding in SB
Seating amounts to 85%.
For further information, please contact:
Arne Karlsson, CEO, +46 703 79 79 79
Emma Rheborg, Head of Corporate Communications and IR, +46 8 700 17 20

 Financial calendar from Ratos:
 Year-end report 2011                       16 February 2012
 Annual General Meeting                     18 April 2012
 Interim Report January - March 2012        8 May 2012
 Interim Report January - June 2012         17 August 2012
 Interim Report January - September 2012    9 November 2012

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, Anticimex, Arcus-Gruppen,
Biolin Scientific, Bisnode, Contex, DIAB, Euromaint, Finnkino, GS-Hydro, Hafa
Bathroom Group, HL Display, Inwido, Jøtul, KVD Kvarndammen, Lindab, Mobile
Climate Control, SB Seating and Stofa. Ratos is listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm
and market capitalisation amounts to approximately SEK 25 billion.