6/14/2005 8:00 AM Ahlsell acquires Finnish market leader in the Do-It-Yourself sector

Ahlsell AB has concluded an agreement with privately-owned Finnish DIY company Malk Teollisuuspalvelu Oy on the acquisition of its operations. Malk Teollisuuspalvelu is Finland's largest supplier of pre-packaged heating and plumbing materials. It has an annual turnover of about SEK 60 million and 20 employees.

Malk Teollisuuspalvelu Oy is market leader within the heating and plumbing product area on the Finnish DIY market and its main customers are retailers throughout Finland. The company is based in Konala, Helsinki, and has regional representatives in Oulu, Kuopio, Seinäjoki and Pori.


"Thanks to this acquisition, Ahlsell is entering the Finnish DIY market where we are establishing ourselves as market leader. It also reinforces our leading market position as a supplier to the DIY sector on the Scandinavian market. In addition to a strongly positioned and well-established company, we obtain access to an interesting market which opens up new business opportunities for Ahlsell's product range", says Göran Näsholm, President and CEO of Ahlsell.


The company's operations will be integrated with Ahlsell's activities in Finland and its present CEO, Risto Lahe, will continue to manage its operations under Ahlsell's Scandinavian DIY manager, Peter Johansson.


The acquisition will be consolidated in the Ahlsell group from July 2005 and will have a positive impact on the Group's operating result as from 2005.


For more information, please contact Göran Näsholm, President and CEO, or Camilla Weiner, CIO, on 08-685 70 00.