SWEDISH EJENDALS ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN JALAS

A majority stake in Urho Viljanmaa Oy – Jalas has been acquired by the Swedish company Ejendals AB. The combination of Jalas and Ejendals creates one of the largest personal protective equipment providers in Northern Europe, with a turnover exceeding € 100 million in 2008. Jalas is among the leading manufacturers of work and safety footwear in Northern Europe, with Ejendals being the largest supplier of gloves, footwear and skin care products for skilled workers in the Nordic countries. Ejendals has also acted as Jalas’ importer in Sweden since 1984 and in Norway since 2005.

The stake is being sold by the Viljanmaa family, representing Jalas’ founding ancestry. CEO Klaus Viljanmaa and Deputy CEO Kyösti Viljanmaa, who will retain a minority stake in Jalas, will remain in their current positions and also remain Board members. The transaction does not affect the position or magnitude of staff at Jalas. Jalas’ network of distributors and co-operation partners also remains unaffected.

According to Klaus Viljanmaa, CEO of Jalas, the purpose of broadening Jalas’ ownership base is to secure future growth for the business. ”The combination with Ejendals is a natural continuation to the 25 years of co-operation between the Viljanmaa and Ejendal families. It marks an important step in attaining the strong growth and internationalization outlined in our strategy. In co-operation with Ejendals we are able to strengthen our product range, expedite our move to new markets and increase awareness of the Jalas brand. The transaction also strengthens the Jalasjärvi factory’s position as leading the development and manufacturing of new, innovative products. In the future, it may very well bring new jobs to Jalasjärvi”, Viljanmaa notes.

”Jalas superbly complements our business concept: protecting hands and feet from risks at work and during leisure time,” tells Ejendals CEO Per-Olof Ejendal. “The premises for closer co-operation could not be better – Jalas is a superbly managed family-owned company with a leading brand on its main markets. Jalas’ growth strategy is in line with Ejendals’ own development objectives. Combining the resources and expertise of our two organizations will create significant added value to both. The deepening co-operation through this transaction will allow us to strengthen our position in the Nordic countries and speed up our expansion into other international markets,” he says.

Further information:
-Urho Viljanmaa Oy – Jalas: CEO Klaus Viljanmaa, p. +358 (0)50 3598531
-Ejendals AB: CEO Per-Olof Ejendal, p +46 (0) 247 36000. e-mail per-olof.ejendal@ejendals.se

 Urho Viljanmaa Oy – Jalas is a family-owned company established in1916. The majority of the company's production comprises work and safety footwear for industry and the service sector. In addition, ski-jumping and orienteering footwear also form part of the product slate. Jalas has tripled its turnover over the last ten years. Exports account for around 65 percent of production. In addition to the Nordic countries, Jalas also operates in Central Europe, the Baltic countries and Russia. In 2007, the company had a turnover of € 36.3 million and 217 employees.

Ejandals AB is a family-owned company established in 1949, with its head office in Leksand, Central Sweden. In Finland Ejendals AB owns also Famon Oy who operate since 2004. In addition to Finland and Sweden, the company operates in the other Nordic countries, Germany, the Baltic countries, Great Britain and Poland. In 2007, the company had a turnover of € 60 million and 95 employees.