Ratos is a listed private equity company. Ratos’ business concept is to generate the highest possible return through the professional, active and responsible execution of its ownership role in a number of selected companies. Added value is created through the acquisition, development and divestment of companies.
Ratos in brief
Ratos has its origins in the steel wholesaler Söderberg & Haak, which was formed in 1866. Förvaltningsaktiebolaget Ratos was registered in 1934 and listed in 1954.
- Today, Ratos is one of Europe’s largest listed private equity companies, and Ratos shares are listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm, Large Cap.
- Ratos’ business concept is to generate the highest possible return through the professional, active and responsible execution of its ownership role in a number of selected companies.
- Olof Stenhammar is Chairman of the Board and Arne Karlsson is Ratos’ CEO.
1866
The trading company Söderberg & Haak, Sweden’s first wholesaler of iron and ironware, is registered by the former master smith at Garpenberg Ironworks, Per Olof Söderberg.
1930s
Förvaltningsaktiebolaget Ratos (Ragnar and Torsten Söderberg) is registered with Ragnar Söderberg as its chairman. The property at Drottninggatan 2 is acquired in 1939.
1940s
Ratos is a mixed investment company with subsidiaries that include Söderberg & Haak. Major holdings in its market portfolio are Gränges, Kopparfors and Holmen. A new holding in the portfolio is SLT, Sveriges Litografiska Tryckerier, now Esselte.
1950s
Ratos is introduced to the stock exchange in 1954. On 3 June 1954, an article in Affärsvärlden, a Swedish business magazine, states: “A nominal SEK 3 million in Förvaltningsaktiebolaget Ratos was placed on the stock exchange at 200 % ... The share issue was immediately oversubscribed ... The company’s position is extremely strong ... a substantial portfolio representing a large number of our most prominent listed shares ...”.
1960s
The Torsten and Ragnar Söderberg foundations are set up in 1960. Returns are donated for scientific research and education in economics, law and medicine.
1970s
In 1972, Söderberg & Haak acquires shares in the Danish heating, ventilation and sanitation wholesaler Brødrene Dahl, which is the controlling shareholder in the Swedish wholesaler Fosselius & Alpen. Tibnor is sold in 1979. Subsequently, Ratos’ portfolio is expanded and the investment company is consolidated.
1980s
Ratos’ property portfolio is integrated into the newly-formed company Stancia. In 1983, Ratos acquires 25 % of the Esso hotel and restaurant chain, which is then renamed Scandic Hotels. Scandic and Dahl later become wholly-owned subsidiaries. In 1988, the subsidiary Inter Forward is formed. Its foundations are provided by Nordisk Transport, which had been acquired two years earlier.
1990s
Restructuring of Ratos commences and property company Stancia is listed in 1994. In 1995, Ratos’ board of directors decides that Ratos should become solely an investment company without wholly-owned subsidiaries. Consequently, both Dahl and Scandic Hotels are listed in spring 1996. In 1998, Inter Forward is also sold off. In January 1999, the board of directors and the management publish a new strategy, abandoning the idea of Ratos as solely a portfolio management and investment company. Instead, Ratos will be a listed private equity company, where the business concept is to generate, over time, the highest possible return through the professional, active and responsible execution of its ownership role in unlisted medium-sized to large Nordic companies. Added value is created through the acquisition, development and divestment of mainly unlisted companies.
2000s
In 2001, the private equity strategy is accomplished with the acquisition of companies such as Atle and Lindab, as well as the sale of Scandic Hotels to Hilton Group Plc in the United Kingdom. All asset management activities involving listed shares are phased out. In 2002, the holding in Esselte is sold, and in 2004, the entire holding in Dahl is divested.