Ratos

Canadian kostklip is a manufacturer of high-quality in-store communication and merchandising solutions for the North American retail industry, based in Vancouver. Since 1969, kostklip has provided retailers with innovative, customer-driven solutions to reduce operational costs and boost sales. The company has 110 employees and generates annual net sales of 24 MCAD with a customer base mainly in grocery retail and electronic shelf label (ESL) suppliers.

“This is yet another step on HL's profitable growth journey. It is characterized by underlying good organic growth combined with a high acquisition rate of fine companies, precisely the type of deals that have great industrial synergies. Add-on acquisitions of this type are highly value-creating and an important part of Ratos’s strategy,” says Anders Slettengren, Chairman of the Board of HL Display and Executive Vice President, Ratos.

“I am pleased to announce the acquisition of kostklip. Through the acquisition, we gain an increased presence and a stronger sales channel for HL's leading portfolio of solutions on the North American market. It also gives us the opportunity to build on our similar heritage in extrusion and price communication. HL’s extensive experience within ESL attachments in Europe and our production facilities in both Europe and Asia will further strengthen kostklip’s already strong position on attachments in the expanding North American ESL market,” says Björn Borgman, CEO of HL Display.

About HL Display
HL is a leader in in-store merchandising and communication solutions, helping customers to create a better shopping in-store experience for shoppers and personnel. Founded in 1954, HL today is present in more than 70 countries and solutions can be found in 330,000 stores, supporting customers to grow sales, inspire shoppers, drive efficiency, and reduce waste. The three customer segments are retail food, branded good suppliers and non-food retail. The HL Display Group has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden and sales offices in 25 countries covering 31 markets as well as distribution partners covering the remaining markets globally. The seven production facilities are located in Sweden, Poland, Germany, the UK and China and handle a variety of industrial processes, including plastics and metal fabrication, printing and assembly. The company has 1,300 employees and net sales of 2,400 MSEK.

For more information, please contact:
Josefine Uppling, VP Communication, Ratos, +46 76 114 54 21
Björn Borgman, CEO, HL Display, +46 72 264 17 90