Download in pdf format - Hilding Anders

Hilding Anders Int. AB
Östra Varvsgatan 4
SE-211 19 Malmö, Sweden
Phone: +46 (0)40 665 67 00
Fax: +46 (0)40 665 67 01
www.hildinganders.se
Press Release
15 July 2010
Hilding Anders completes its single biggest acquisition and
buys Russia’s leading bed manufacturer
Hilding Anders has completed its single biggest acquisition with the purchase of
the Russian bed manufacturer Askona. Hilding Anders is now the clear market
leader in Europe, Russia and Asia.
The Group is continuing to follow its acquisition strategy and can now add Russia's biggest
bed manufacturer, Askona, to its portfolio of companies. This acquisition is the biggest in
the history of Hilding Anders. Askona has turnover of around SEK 700 million and around
1 100 employees. The company has two factories, in Kovrov and Novosibirsk. Askona also
has its own retail network, currently comprising around 60 shops.
Askona has a broad brand portfolio that covers all price segments. The company also has
exclusive licences to the premium brands King Koil and Serta. Askona also manufactures
private label, and is the main supplier to a number of large furniture chains in the Russian
market. In total, Askona has a market share of around 30% and is by far the leading bed
manufacturer in Russia.
Anders Pålsson, President and CEO at Hilding Anders, has this to say:
“We’ve been analysing the Russian market for a long time and viewed it as a strategically
important one, with high growth figures and increasing purchasing power among
consumers. Askona is a very interesting company that is not only the leader in the Russian
market, but also has great potential to grow and to develop further. With Askona in our
portfolio of companies, Hilding Anders is now the clear market leader in Russia. It is
significant and necessary in order that Hilding Anders is able to reach our ambitious target
of being the biggest bed manufacturer in the world.”
Hilding Anders has acquired 51% of Askona, and the existing management team with MD
Vladimir Sedov will continue to run the business.
“We see tremendous opportunities in developing and strengthening Askona’s brands,
putting our other brands in the Russian market and growing with new and existing
customers. Through the acquisition of Askona, we’re creating the growth we need in order
to further secure our position as the leading bed manufacturer in Europe, Russia and Asia,”
concludes Anders Pålsson.
Hilding Anders was founded in 1939 in Bjärnum in Skåne, Sweden, and has now grown to become the leading manufacturer of
beds and mattresses in Europe, Russia and Asia. The head office is now in Malmö, and the Group is owned by the British
investment companies Candover and MezzVest. Through around 30 subsidiaries, the Group owns more than 20 strong brands of
beds, which are sold in Europe and Asia. Hilding Anders also operates a wide-ranging production programme for a large number of
well-known international furniture stores. The Group has approx. 6 000 employees and has a presence in 27 European and 13
Asian markets. The proforma turnover in 2009 was SEK 6.7 billion.
Brand portfolio
André Renault • Askona• Bedding • Bico • Curem • Dunlopillo • Eastborn • Ekens • Happy Systems • Hespo • Hilding • Jensen • Koz
• Myer’s • Passion • Perfecta Dreams • Pullman • Sand • Sleepwell • Slumberland • Somilar • Staples • Stjärnbädden • Tropico •
Vono

Press Release
For more information about Askona, please visit www.askona.ru
For more information about Hilding Anders, please visit www.hildinganders.se
For further information please contact:
Anja Trägårdh, Communication Manager, Hilding Anders
Tel: +46 (0)708 95 97 58
Email: anja.tragardh@hildinganders.se