Ahlström Capital’s wholly owned investment company Ahlstrom Capital B.V. has today signed an agreement to acquire 60% of Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Decor business. The Decor business is transferred to a newly formed company that is to be named Munksjö. The acquisition is a perfect fit in Ahlström Capital’s Forest & Fiber focus area and offers good value creation opportunities.

Ahlström Capital has been a long-term owner of Munksjö since 2013 as the combination of Munksjö AB and Ahlstrom’s Label and Processing business was completed. Since 2017, Ahlstrom-Munksjö has developed the Decor business from an established European business to a leading international player, well positioned to serve its customers globally. A growth platform in South America was established through the acquisition of Caieiras’s specialty paper mill in Brazil and the fastest growing decor paper market, China, was entered through the acquisition of decor paper manufacturer Minglian New Materials Technology in Xingtai.
“Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s Decor business is a leading global business with a broad product portfolio and a market-leading brand, Munksjö. This business is already the leader in higher value market segments and has strengthened the competitiveness in standard decor papers with a footprint in China following the acquisition of Minglian New Materials Technology. For Ahlström Capital the Decor business is a key investment in our Forest & Fiber focus area”, comments Lasse Heinonen, President and CEO of Ahlström Capital.

The Decor business has operated under the Munksjö brand for more than 25 years and the brand is recognized for outstanding quality and service across the decor industry. Ahlstrom Capital B.V. will be the majority owner in the new Munksjö company with a 60% ownership, Ahlstrom-Munksjö is remaining as a minority owner together with Nidoco AB. As a standalone company the Decor business will accelerate its growth, strengthen its competitiveness and global leadership in innovation.
The closing of the transaction is subject to the approval of the competition authorities.

For further information, please contact:
Lasse Heinonen, President and CEO Ahlström Capital, tel. +358 10 888 4113
Camilla Sågbom, Director, Corporate Communications and Responsibility, +358 10 888 4182

About Decor business area
Products: Decor papers are primarily used in laminated wood-panel based furniture, flooring and other interior and exterior building material applications.
Key markets: Europe, North and South America, China and selected export markets
Production: Germany (Unterkochen and Dettingen), Spain (Tolosa), France (Arches), Brazil (Caieiras) and China (Xingtai)
Net sales: Approx. EUR 500 million
Employees: 1,200 people

About minority owners
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for sustainable everyday life. Annual net sales of the company is about EUR 3.1 billion and it employs some 8,000 people.
Nidoco AB is a Swedish investment company whose strategy is to create long-term value through active ownership of public and private companies. Nidoco is currently a leading shareholder of three listed companies with head offices in the Nordic region, and has direct and indirect investments in more than 300 unlisted companies globally. Nidoco is an independent part of the Virala Group.

Ahlström Capital is one of Finland’s largest investment companies with a long history of 170 years. We are a family-owned investment company that creates value for our owners by investing in industrial companies, real estate and forest. In 2021, the annual net sales of our portfolio companies was approximately EUR 4.4 billion and they employed almost 13,500 people in 33 countries. Our current portfolio includes significant holdings in the listed companies Detection Technology Plc, Glaston Corporation, and Suominen Corporation. In addition, the portfolio includes Ahlström Invest B.V. (including a significant ownership in Ahlstrom-Munksjö), Enics AG, M&J Recycling A/S as well as an investment in the AC Cleantech Fund. Our portfolio also includes major real estate and forest holdings.

Munich, May 10, 2022 – The European Imaging Group (“EIG”), a subsidiary of AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8), closed the acquisition of a majority stake in Cyfrowe.pl (“Cyfrowe”). The company is the leading Polish omni-channel speciality retail operator of high-end photo and video equipment for professionals and enthusiasts. This transaction reinforces EIG’s position as the leading pan-European photo and video specialist multi-channel retailer and offers a base for further expansion into Central and Eastern European markets.

Cyfrowe is headquartered in Gdansk and maintains close partnerships with the major blue-chip brands in the industry. It runs five successful retail destination stores across Poland and a renowned e-commerce platform. The offering is based on both new as well as used equipment and is complemented by a comprehensive range of services, such as customer training and workshops. Cyfrowe has built high levels of brand awareness and is managed by a strong team led by founder and CEO Jaroslaw Banacki, who will remain a significant minority shareholder. Banacki will continue to run the company and will be responsible for Cyfrowe’s future development.

Richard Glatzel, Group CEO of the European Imaging Group, states: “We are ambitious to strengthen our position as the pan-European market leader in our field. Adding Cyfrowe represents our step into the Eastern European Market, further increasing EIG´s reach throughout the continent and leveraging synergies.”

Jaroslaw Banacki, Founder and CEO of Cyfrowe, comments: “Today, Cyfrowe is the leading omni-channel photo and video retailer in Poland. With the completion of our partnership with EIG, we are excited to see the opportunities this will bring and to continue on our successful growth path.” With the founder staying on bord, EIG will have access to the longstanding Cyfrowe industry know-how and expertise, that can be combined with EIG’s wealth of knowledge to capture future growth opportunities.

Anders Invest has signed an agreement to purchase a 100% participation in Royal Leerdam and its affiliated company Crisal – Cristalaria Automática S.A.  The companies manufacture table glass for the European market from the Netherlands and Portugal( under the Royal Leerdam and Crisal Glass brands, has a turnover of approximately € 120 million and employs more than 600 employees in the Netherlands and Portugal.

Glass has been produced in Leerdam since 1765. With the arrival of the glass factory in 1878, Royal Leerdam was founded.  With the Crisal factory in Portugal, founded in 1944, Royal Leerdam has grown into a strong player in the European market of table glass.  The company operates from the production site in Leerdam in the Netherlands and Marinha Grande in Portugal.  In addition, the distribution center is located in Gorinchem. Royal Leerdam and Crisal serve customers in retail, wholesale and hospitality throughout Europe, Australia, India, New Zealand and the Middle East.

Anders Invest has acquired its interest from Libbey Glass LLC.  Libbey has decided to divest its European activities in order to strategically prioritize and expand its business within its core markets, especially the Americas. The closing of this transaction is anticipated to occur at the end of this month. Following the close of the transaction, Libbey and Anders Invest will maintain an ongoing commercial relationship, including uninterrupted access to products and other support.

• Premium golf balls sold direct-to-consumer offers competitive pricing advantage
• Innovative design and focus on social media provide marketing edge
• Large, stable golf market benefitting from a shift to healthy living and flexible working

Oakley Capital, the pan-European private equity investor, is pleased to announce that Oakley Capital Origin Fund is investing in Vice Sporting Goods GmbH (“Vice Golf”), the leading digitally native golf brand.

Golf is a centuries-old sport that has proven its enduring appeal and stability through economic cycles and is today played by c.70 million across the globe. It has seen a significant boost during the COVID pandemic with the number of golf rounds played in the US increasing 20% between 2019 and 2021, driven by existing players playing more rounds and new players embracing the sport, as well as a shift to healthy living and flexible working.

Founded in 2012 in Munich by entrepreneurs Ingo Düllmann and Rainer Stöckl, Vice Golf has a strong track record of profitable growth with >40% top-line CAGR between FY18 and FY21 at ~20% EBITDA margin. The Company has successfully disrupted the golf ball market by offering premium golf balls at significantly lower price points than comparable products through its direct-to-consumer (DTC) business model and social media marketing.

Vice Golf has developed an enthusiastic following and established itself as the largest digital-first player in the global golf ball market thanks to its product proposition and novel designs. The Company principally sells golf balls as well as accessories such as caps and gloves to golfers of all ages and skill levels across the US and Europe. Following customer demand Vice Golf recently entered the apparel segment via highly successfully collaborations with top brands such as Adidas and Beastin.

Oakley’s partnership with Vice Golf builds on the firm’s deep expertise supporting DTC businesses such as Gymondo (part of 7NXT), Germany’s leading online fitness and nutrition platform, and Wishcard, one of Europe’s leading digital gift card companies. The investment in Vice Golf is another example of Oakley’s ability to leverage its wider network and reputation to form long-lasting partnerships with successful entrepreneurs. Oakley’s investment will help the business to accelerate its growth, product diversification strategy and internationalisation.

Oakley Capital Founder and Managing Partner, Peter Dubens, commented: 

“Vice Golf has seen impressive growth thanks to its innovative approach of offering passionate golfers leading product quality at a highly competitive price. We look forward to working with Ingo and Rainer and helping the Vice Golf team to build a globally leading multi-product brand in the golf world.”

BOGOTÁ, May 3, 2022 – Advent International (“Advent”), one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors, and GHL Hotels (“GHL”), one of the largest third-party hotel operator in the region, part of GHL Group, today announced that they have agreed to enter into a partnership, whereby Advent will invest in GHL and support its expansion across Latin America.

The partnership will strengthen GHL’s financial position to accelerate growth through new operating contracts, additional investments in hotels and acquisitions of other third-party hotel operators.

Jorge Londoño, Co-Founder and CEO of GHL, said, “This investment from a world-class investor like Advent is a sign of confidence in our potential and an endorsement of our business model, track record and achievements. We have big expansion plans to consolidate our position as the largest Latin American player in the sector, and by partnering with Advent we are confident that we will achieve this goal.”

“We are excited to partner with GHL, a company that has achieved excellent growth and strong performance in a sector that shows great prospects in Colombia and the region,” said Mauricio Salgar, Managing Director of Advent International in Bogotá. “We look forward to working with GHL’s management team and supporting the company’s growth and consolidation in the region. As a seasoned investor in the hospitality sector, Advent will provide knowledge and expertise in an industry that is increasingly dominated by global players.”

GHL is the largest third-party hotel operator in the Andean region and Central America. It began operations in 1964 with five hotels in the south of Colombia. Fifty-six years later, GHL is one of the main authorized multi-brand operators in the region, operating 62 hotels in Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Central America, Chile, and Argentina, with a portfolio of more than 7,000 rooms and 5,000 employees. The portfolio includes hotels operating under international brands such as Hyatt, Marriott, Radisson and Sonesta.

“In more developed markets, such as the United States, we’ve seen hotel operations shift to specialized third-party hotel operators rather than hotel chains or property owners,” added Salgar of Advent. “This trend is now expanding into other markets, including in Latin America, where GHL is a leading player and aspires to continue solidifying its position in the market.”

This investment follows Advent’s acquisition of a majority stake in Aimbridge Hospitality, the world’s leading third-party hotel management company, with approximately 1,500 properties in 20 countries and in 49 states of USA. Aimbridge operates a diverse portfolio of brands that includes 84 different lodging brands, in addition to the more than 82 independent boutique/lifestyle hotels they operate. During Advent’s investment, the company has significantly grown its hotel portfolio and in 2021 acquired Prisma Hotels, the largest hotel operator in Mexico with 42 hotels and more than 7,500 rooms across the country.

• G-III to Purchase Remaining 81% Stake to Become Sole Owner of Renowned International Fashion Brand
• Global Retail Brand Sales Potential in Excess of $2 Billion to End Consumers and Expands G-III’s Worldwide Presence
• Experienced and Successful Existing Leadership Team Will Continue to Lead Karl Lagerfeld Brand

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIII) (“G-III” or the “Company”), a global fashion leader with expertise in design, sourcing, and manufacturing, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the remaining 81% interest in famed fashion brand Karl Lagerfeld for €200 million ($210 million USD), subject to certain adjustments and customary closing conditions. G-III currently owns 19% of the brand and, through this transaction, will become the sole owner of the Karl Lagerfeld brand. The all-cash transaction has been approved by the board of directors of both companies.

Morris Goldfarb, G-III’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “This transaction marks yet another significant milestone for G-III. Since acquiring a stake in the brand in 2015, G-III has built Karl Lagerfeld into an important and rapidly growing part of our North American business. Fully owning this visionary brand is a continuation of our successful partnership with the Karl Lagerfeld management team. Importantly, the addition of this iconic fashion brand to the G-III portfolio advances several of our key priorities, namely an increase in the direct ownership of brands and their licensing opportunities and further diversification of our global presence.”

Mr. Goldfarb continued, “Karl Lagerfeld was an icon of the fashion industry. His namesake brand embodies his spirit as a designer while also appealing to a broad range of consumers throughout the world. We have great respect for Karl Lagerfeld’s experienced and talented leadership team, led by Pier Paolo Righi, with whom we have worked closely for the last seven years. This team, combined with G-III’s expertise, is expected to unlock more of the brand’s global potential, which we believe represents a retail sales opportunity in excess of $2 billion. We are excited to welcome everyone at Karl Lagerfeld into the G-III team.”

Pier Paolo Righi, Chief Executive Officer of Karl Lagerfeld, said, “Over the course of more than a decade – including many years working hand-in-hand with Karl – we have developed a multifaceted fashion house and a strong business that we believe is poised for continued and significant growth. Karl’s original vision for the brand was to inspire people around the world to join his universe through creativity, and I am confident that he would be proud of how his vision and passion has come to life.”

“As proud custodians of Karl’s legacy, we are guided by his mantra to ‘embrace the present and invent the future,’ and I am looking forward to building the future of his namesake brand with the combined strength of our team and G-III’s expertise in the industry,” continued Mr. Righi. “Morris and the G-III team have been part of our family since we joined forces in 2015 to bring the Lagerfeld name to North America. Since then, we have worked together to further grow the brand’s footprint. This transaction is the natural evolution of this positive working relationship. Working even more closely with a team we know, trust and have a proven track record with, will allow us to further accelerate the brand’s global opportunity.”

Iconic and Powerful Fashion Brand with Runway for Growth

The Karl Lagerfeld brand celebrates the iconic vision of its namesake founder while inspiring reinvention and bringing his legacy into the future. The brand is driven by endless curiosity, a passion for collaboration, and the infinite possibilities of creative expression. As a global fashion and lifestyle brand, the business’s expansive portfolio is both accessible and aspirational. Ready-to-wear and accessories form its core across a range of price points, with other collections including footwear, eyewear, fragrance, and more. Sustainability is also a cornerstone of the brand’s strategy, focusing on people, planet, and partners, with more than half of in-house collections already produced with eco-conscious methods.

The brand’s immersive global digital and retail presence includes approximately 120 mono-brand company and partner-operated stores, with key locations in Paris, London, Berlin, Dubai, and Shanghai. The brand further boasts an extensive wholesale distribution network in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with impressive partners. The brand has a successful online business through its flagship websites www.karl.com and www.karllagerfeldparis.com, as well as through other digital retail platforms.

Karl Lagerfeld’s near-term expansion strategy focuses on growth in geographic regions through both owned and partner-operated channels spanning digital, retail, wholesale, new product categories, and increased licensing opportunities. Additionally, the power of the name extends into broader lifestyle projects, unique experiences and collaborations across cultures and industries, such as hospitality and residential real estate. These initiatives, along with the Karl Lagerfeld brand’s strengths and diverse customer base, provide a significant runway for future growth.

Transaction and Financial Details

G-III will purchase the remaining 81% of Karl Lagerfeld for €200 million ($210 million USD) in cash, subject to certain adjustments and customary closing conditions, funding the acquisition with cash on hand. G-III currently owns 19% of the brand and, through this transaction, will become the sole owner of the brand. The acquisition includes Karl Lagerfeld’s existing 10% stake in its established joint venture in China. G-III believes that the acquisition enhances the Company’s overall economic value and is expected to drive improved long-term shareholder value. Additional transaction benefits include:

● The acquisition adds approximately $200 million in initial annual sales. Combined with G-III’s revenues of $175 million in its fiscal 2022 year ended January 31, 2022, from its existing Karl Lagerfeld business in North America, this acquisition will result in a business expected to generate an initial annual revenue base of approximately $375 million. G-III believes that the combined revenues of G-III’s Karl Lagerfeld business and the acquired Karl Lagerfeld business represent an annual net revenue potential of approximately $1 billion or in excess of $2 billion in sales to end consumers, and that this acquisition will expand G-III’s global presence.

● The acquisition is expected to be modestly accretive in our fiscal 2023 year ending January 31, 2023, and incrementally more accretive thereafter.

The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of fiscal year 2023, subject to certain adjustments and customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals. G-III received legal advice from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V. and financial advice from Barclays Capital, Inc.

Statements concerning G-III’s business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated revenues, expenses or other financial items; product introductions and plans and objectives related thereto; and statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters are “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined under the Federal Securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors which include, but are not limited to, risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, reliance on licensed product, reliance on foreign manufacturers, risks of doing business abroad, the current economic and credit environment, risks related to our indebtedness, the nature of the apparel industry, including changing customer demand and tastes, customer concentration, seasonality, risks of operating a retail business, risks related to G-III’s ability to reduce the losses incurred in its retail operations, customer acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, dependence on existing management, possible disruption from acquisitions, the impact on G-III’s business of the imposition of tariffs by the United States government and business and general economic conditions, as well as other risks detailed in G-III’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. G-III assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.