Kung Markatta Holding AB, owner of Kung Markatta AB, a leading distributor and marketer of organic and natural products in Sweden, is acquiring Alma Norge AS from Validus AS. Together, the two companies will be a leader within organic and natural products in the Nordic region. In connection with the acquisition, Kung Markatta Holding AB will change its name to Internatural AB. The majority owner of Internatural AB is Priveq Investment Fund IV, advised by Priveq Advisory AB.
Alma Norge AS is one of the leading organic and natural foods companies within the Norwegian convenience goods, health foods and catering sectors. In addition to its own organic brand, Helios, the company also offers a wide range of products from a number of high quality European suppliers. Alma Norge AS is based in Årnes, north of Oslo, and has around 30 employees.
Together with Kung Markatta, the two companies will form a strong and focused player within the expansive market for organic and natural foods. In addition to their own well-known organic brands Kung Markatta and Helios, the companies will also distribute and market a broad portfolio of other brands, such as Alpro, Rice Dream, Yogi Tea and Green & Black’s. Alma and Kung Markatta will continue to be operated as separate companies and brands, with their existing management teams and staff in their respective countries. Together, the companies recorded a turnover for the 2013 financial year of approximately SEK 450 million.
“I see Kung Markatta as the perfect partner for Alma in its continued growth and its development in the Norwegian market,” says Heidi Bruun Woldsnes, CEO of Alma Norge. “We look forward to working with Kung Markatta and together creating a leading Nordic company, with a focus on the market for organic and natural products.”
“Alma Norge is an excellent complement to Kung Markatta,” adds Anders Dahlin, CEO of Internatural and Kung Markatta. “Since we are essentially the same type of company in our respective markets, this acquisition will create the right conditions for mutual benefit. We both have clear growth strategies for the future, and I am firmly convinced that Internatural can become a strong, leading player within organic and natural products in the Nordic region.”
For further information, please contact:
Anders Dahlin, MD, Kung Markatta and Internatural
Tel. +46 19 307 311
anders.dahlin@kungmarkatta.se
Heidi Bruun Woldsnes, MD Alma Norge
Tel. +47 67 21 05 25
heidi.bruun.woldsnes@alma.no
Henrik Westfeldt, Partner Priveq Investment
Tel. +46 8 459 67 65
henrik.westfeldt@priveq.se