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Press release - 1 February 2007

CapMan invests in vehicle logistics

The funds managed by CapMan and John Nurminen Oy have signed an agreement for the transfer of John Nurminen Oy’s Vehicle Logistics Unit into the majority ownership of CapMan funds. John Nurminen Oy remains as a substantial joint owner in the new company to be established.

Vehicle Logistics Unit provides logistics services to vehicle manufacturers, importers and dealers. The Unit has operations in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and in the Baltic states, and it is the leading provider of vehicle logistics services in the Baltic Sea region. The Unit operates in Sweden and in Denmark through a sister company SkandiaTransport.

 

The transaction will be made for a new company. After the restructuring the funds managed by CapMan will hold 60% of the company, John Nurminen Oy 25% and the operative management 15%. The Vehicle Logistics Unit’s 500 employees will continue in their previous duties. The Managing Director of John Nurminen, Mr Jan Lönnblad, will transfer to the management of the new company. The execution of the transaction is subject to approval by competition authorities and it is expected to be finalised by the end of March.

 

In 2006, the combined turnover of its vehicle logistics companies amounted to around EUR 93 million. The focus with the expansion of the ownership base will be on growth and development of the vehicle logistics business – particularly by expanding in Russian and Baltic markets. John Nurminen Oy will focus on the development of its other core businesses in future.

 

”The divestment of John Nurminen’s Vehicle Logistics Unit will enable the centralisation of the vehicle logistics business in accordance with our growth strategy. We are very pleased to have CapMan’s resources and wide Nordic network supporting the development and expansion of Vehicle Logistics’ operations,” states Jan Lönnblad, Managing Director of John Nurminen Oy.

 

”CapMan’s investment decision was influenced by the Vehicle Logistics Unit’s leading position in Nordic and Baltic markets, strong growth potential and highly experienced management. Together with the management we will develop Vehicle Logistics as an independent company through organic growth and possible acquisitions,” says CapMan Senior Partner Markus Sjöholm.

 

The investment in the company was made by CapMan Buyout VIII and CapMan Mezzanine IV funds, in which CapMan Plc is a substantial investor.

 

For further information, please contact:

Markus Sjöholm, Senior Partner, CapMan Buyout, tel. +358 9 6155 8312 or +358 40 508 0121

Jan Lönnblad, Managing Director, John Nurminen Oy, tel. +358 10 545 2420



CapMan
CapMan, one of the leading private equity investors in the Nordic countries, manages Nordic buyout, mezzanine, technology, life science and real estate funds with approximately EUR 2.6 billion in total capital. Each investment area has a dedicated team and altogether CapMan employs around 100 people in Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo. Established in 1989, CapMan has strong experience as a fund manager and as a partner for investors and entrepreneurs. To date CapMan has made over 150 Nordic investments and over 90 exits. The current portfolio encompasses over 60 companies with an aggregate turnover of approx. EUR 2.5 billion and aggregate personnel of 17,000 people. The latest investments are made in Finnish Komas Oy, Danish ScanJour A/S, Swedish QuickCool AB and Norwegian InfoCare ASA. In addition, CapMan has invested in 23 commercial properties in the Helsinki metropolitan area and exited from 22. The B shares of CapMan Plc are listed on the Main List of the Helsinki Stock Exchange since 2001. www.capman.com  

John Nurminen Oy
John Nurminen Oy is a Finnish family-owned company established in 1886, which provides high-quality logistics services in the Baltic Sea region. John Nurminen’s turnover was approximately EUR 155 million in 2006. The company employs about 1,100 logistics professionals. John Nurminen has operations in several Finnish locations and subsidiaries and associated companies in Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. www.johnnurminen.com