Ahlsell has entered into an agreement with Saferoad Holding, to acquire its Swedish Water & Sewage business, ViaCon VA, with annual sales of approximately SEK 320 million. The agreement is structured as a transfer of assets including inventories, equipment and immaterial property related to the Water & Sewage operations and the distribution of products such as pipes, pumps, dwells, manholes, valves and fittings. The deal also includes a distribution agreement of ViaCon’s geotechnical products for use in small and medium-sized construction projects in Sweden and Norway.

ViaCon VA started its operations in 2004, and has through several acquisitions established a strong position in Sweden with several major customers in construction and infrastructure. The acquired business has 81 employees at 11 locations in Sweden. Ahlsell intends to continue the business under the ViaCon VA brand, while purchasing, logistics and administration will be gradually integrated after takeover.

"The acquisition adds valuable expertise and strengthens our initiatives directed to attractive customer segments within construction and infrastructure. I find an attractive potential in the distribution agreement regarding their advanced geotechnical products, where Ahlsell can strengthen their current distribution capacity in a positive way", says Johan Nilsson, President and CEO of Ahlsell Group.

"We are looking forward to the cooperation with Ahlsell and their contribution to our distribution network for geotechnical products where we continue to provide added value through our technical expertise”, says Morten Holum, CEO in Saferoad Group.

The purchase price will be approximately SEK 90 million, depending on the final working capital adjustment at closing. The acquisition is expected to have a marginal positive impact on Ahlsell's earnings per share for 2017.

The deal is subject to approval by the Swedish Competition Authority and closing is planned for September 2017.

For further information, contact:
Johan Nilsson, President and CEO, +46 8 685 70 00
Anna Oxenstierna, Head of Investor relations, +46 708 15 84 85

This information is information that Ahlsell AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08.00 CEST on 22 June, 2017.

Ahlsell, listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, is the leading Nordic distributor of installation products, tools and supplies addressing installers, contractors, facility managers, industry, energy and infrastructure companies and the public sector. Our unique offering includes over a million individual products and solutions.

The Group has an annual turnover of about SEK 26 billion with approximately 97 percent of its net sales in Sweden, Norway and Finland. With approximately 5 000 skilled employees, over 200 stores and three central warehouses, we are committed to our customer promise: Ahlsell makes it easier to be professional.