Bisnode Signs Agreement to Sell German Subsidiary WLW

Posted by Joachim Bartels | Dec 28, 2011 | Bisnode, Directories, Germany, Member News, Online Media - Buyer - Seller Platforms, Ownership Changes of Information Companies | 0 |

Ratos’s subsidiary Bisnode has signed an agreement to sell the company “Wer liefert Was?”(WLW) in Austria, Germany and Switzerland to the German private equity company Paragon Partners.

This divestment is part of Bisnode’s strategy to focus on growth and development of the core business. The selling price amounts to EUR 79m (approx. SEK 710m) and is expected to generate a capital gain in Bisnode of approximately EUR 20m. In conjunction with completion of this deal, Bisnode will issue a dividend of approximately SEK 215m to its owners, of which Ratos’s share will amount to approximately SEK150m.

WLW, which offers online search services for companies, has a leading market position in the German-speaking countries. The company was founded in 1932 and has approximately 200 employees and is headquartered in Hamburg. Sales in 2010 totalled EUR 31.1m. Bisnode acquired WLW in 2008.

Source: Reuters

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Joachim Bartels

Joachim C Bartels is a co-founder, director, head of information resources and Editor-in-Chief of BIIA. In his capacity as Editor-in-Chief he is responsible for the selection of relevant information content concerning industry insights, trends, technological developments, standards and policies impacting BIIA members in particular and the business information industry in general.

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