Kotera Group Oy Launches Operations
PRESS RELEASE
The owners of LVI Kurikka Oy, RKM Group Oy, and Bark Oy have decided to join forces and establish a common entity named Kotera Group. The group will consist of businesses specializing in industrial construction and services, damage restoration, renovation, and HVAC technical contracting and maintenance.
To implement its acquisition strategy, Kotera Group Oy has secured a significant capital investment with a fund managed by Swedish investment firm Bragnum Invest. The investment will be used to fuel Kotera Group Oy's acquisition strategy, focusing on small and medium-sized companies with high profitability, strong cash flow, and specialized expertise. Korpi Capital Oy continues as the largest single owner of Kotera Group.
Lars Österberg, founder and major owner of Bragnum Invest, with extensive experience from Nordic business services companies, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Kotera Group Oy. Österberg's past experience include board positions at Bravida, Layer Group, Alimak Group, Eitech, Netel and Metrolit. Supporting him on the board, among other Board members, is Korpi Capital's partner Mikko Fischer, who has been a board member of the group member companies since Korpi Capital's involvement.
The CEO of Kotera Group Oy is Tuomas Forsberg, who has extensive experience in the Finnish construction industry, including roles at Skanska, Terrawise, SRV, and most recently at Asfalttikallio, where he served as CFO and Deputy CEO before his current appointment.
Tuomas Forsberg states, "The idea of a Finnish construction and industrial services serial acquirer has been planned for a long time. The industry is full of good small and medium-sized companies with strong cash flow, but no viable organic investment opportunities for the cash flow they generate. Also, many companies find it difficult to find a buyer who will continue and respect the company's way of operating. At Kotera, entrepreneurs can continue to develop their companies while gaining support and resources for development and growth from other companies in the group.
Entrepreneurs selling their companies to Kotera invest part of the sale price in Kotera's shares. These shares provide the entrepreneur with significant additional returns because within Kotera we can efficiently channel the companies' cash flow into new acquisitions and growth investments.
There are many examples worldwide where significant value has been destroyed by forcibly merging companies with different cultures and operational methods. Kotera respects the processes and practices built by the companies it acquires. This approach is often attractive to the owners and managers of these companies.”
LVI Kurikka, RKM Group, and Bark, each a top company in their field, create a strong foundation for Kotera's acquisition strategy. We have a great team spirit, and everyone is strongly aligned with our common goal," continues Tuomas Forsberg.
For further information, please visit:
https://koteragroup.fi/
Bragnum Invest
Established in 2018, Bragnum Invest is an investment firm, investing in small and medium-sized Nordic companies. Bragnum Invest supports companies with a proven business model and attractive growth and development potential and works actively with their companies to accelerate growth and transformation processes.
Korpi Capital
Korpi Capital Oy is a Finnish investment company. Korpi Capital invests in companies and entrepreneurs whose expertise and management are top in their field and offers its target companies resources and courage for profitable growth.
Korpi Capital invests in Nordic Padel
Korpi Capital has invested in Nordic Padel Oy. Nordic Padel is a padel operator. The company operates padel centers in the capital region and in Turku, both under the Open Padel -brand. Nordic Padel also sells padel rackets and other accessories online through Padeltarvike.fi. Nordic Padel was founded in 2018, and it currently has five employees.
Korpi Capital's role will be to strengthen Nordic Padel Oy’s strategic, administrative as well as financing and M&A expertise through board work.
Find out more about the company here.
LVI Kurikka, portfolio company of Korpi Capital, acquires Pirkanmaan Automaatiokeskus Melo
LVI Kurikka, a Korpi Capital portfolio company, has acquired the share capital of Pirkanmaan Automaatiokeskus Melo Oy in a transaction completed on August 30, 2021. The largest LVI service firm of Pirkanmaa has been formed through combining these the two family companies. The CEO of Melo, Pasi Elo, as well as Sami Hassinen will become minority owners of LVI Kurikka.
The other owners of LVI Kurikka include the CEO of the firm, Jonne Kurikka, the CEO of RKM Group Oy, Ismo Penttilä, and Korpi Capital. RKM Group is a long time partner of LVI Kurikka, and is part of the portfolio of Korpi.
Jonne Kurikka established LVI Kurikka in 2011. Melo was founded by Mauri Elo, the father of the current CEO, in 1993. Despite the change in ownership, the two brands will continue to serve their customers normally. CEO Jonne Kurikka:
“The transaction is a natural continuum of years of close collaboration. The specialization area of each company supports the other. The competence of Melo in building automation and cooling has been the missing link in our selection of services. Now we are able to serve our clients even more holistically than before.”
More personnel needed – focus on well-being at work
The combined number of employees of LVI Kurikka and Melo is currently 50. All employees will continue in their positions, and more are needed.
“Even nation-wide LVI houses compete with us for talent. We have continued to focus on the well-being of our employees. For many in our staff it is important to develop their skillset, and we can provide that through, for example, the fast technological development of building automation and heat pumps”, says Kurikka.
The core services of LVI Kurikka are
LVI-Kurikka's special expertise includes a wide range of HVAC services, such as hot water, sewer and heating network renovations, as well as piping and ventilation renovations of large properties. Melo’s expertise includes thermal pumps, building automation, solar panels, as well as cooling and refrigeration equipment.
Read more about the company here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of Veljekset Nuutinen (Venue)
Korpi Capital Oy has acquired shares of Veljekset Nuutinen Oy. The company, operating under the name Venue, implements extensive renovation projects in the Helsinki metropolitan area, focusing on the interior renovations of rental housing companies. The company was founded in 2001 and has approximately 60 employees.
As a result of the transaction, Korpi Capital is the company's largest shareholder. The sellers, Petteri Nuutinen, President and CEO, and certain key personnel will remain the owners. Korpi Capital's Tatu Mäkimartti and Mikko Fischer were elected as Members of the Board. Petteri Nuutinen, Timo Kronqvist and Valtteri Nuutinen will continue to serve as Members of the Board.
Venue will become part of Korpi's cluster of specialized repair construction companies. Korpi brings expertise to the Venue Group as their growth continues.
Venue CEO Petteri Nuutinen:
“We believe that expanding our ownership base will bring stability and security to our staff, customers, and other stakeholders. In line with our slogan, we are building trust with this arrangement as well! ”
Learn more about the company here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of Urajärven Metalli
Korpi Capital Oy has acquired shares of Urajärven Metalli Oy together with the other owners of its portfolio company Sysi Oy. Urajärven Metalli Oy is engineering workshop founded in 1984, which has a comprehensive machine base for light and medium-heavy production. Over the past 10 years, Sysi Oy has grown into a material handling specialist with a strong foothold in the extractive industry. Urajärven Metalli will become part of Korpi's specialized renovation construction cluster. The company aims for growth supported by a new ownership base and the Board.
The operational management of Urajärven Metalli will continue in its duties. Petteri Viinanen (Chairman of the Board) and Teppo Lehtinen of Sysi Oy were elected to the company's Board of Directors. Teemu and Tomi Savolainen will continue on the company's Board of Directors.
Korpi Capital's role is to expand Urajärven Metalli's strategic, administrative and M&A expertise through board work. Petteri Viinanen from Sysi Oy commented on the transaction as follows:
"The punctuality and high quality of deliveries, as well as the constant desire to develop both products and business, have always been the passion of both companies. The arrangement enables Sysi Oy's share of domestic production to be significantly increased companies will offer their customers an even wider range of expertise in both products and services and strengthen each other's expertise in new areas. "
Check out Urajärvi Metal here. Sysi's website can be found here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of Bark
Korpi Capital Oy on ostanut teollisuusrakentamiseen keskittyneen Bark Oy:n osakkeita. Yhtiön Korpi Capital Oy has acquired shares of Bark Oy, an industrial building company. Entrepreneurs Toni Parkkinen and Petteri Rantalainen will continue as owners alongside Korpi. Bark is part of Korpi Capital's cluster of specialized repair construction companies.
Korpi Capital aims to accelerate Bark's growth by taking an active role in the company's board of directors. Tatu Mäkimartti and Mikko Fischer from Korpi Capital have been chosen as new members of the board. Petteri Rantalainen will continue as the chairman of the board and Toni Parkkinen as a member of the board.
Bark is a specialized industrial building company founded in 2007, operating in South Karelia and South-East Finland. Apart from industrial building, Bark delivers industrial plating works, house and earth works, restructuring and demanding diamond works. The company's customer base consists of large governmental and municipal developers as well as private developers.
Read more about Bark here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of LVI Kurikka
Korpi Capital Oy has acquired the shares of LVI Kurikka Oy together with Ismo Penttilä, CEO of its portfolio company RKM Group Oy. After the reorganization, Jonne Kurikka, CEO, will continue as the company's majority owner. LVI Kurikka aims for growth supported by a new ownership base and the Board.
The role of Korpi Capital is to expand LVI Kurikka's strategic, administrative and M&A expertise through board work. Ismo Penttilä from RKM Group, which specializes in renovation construction, will deepen the company's industry expertise and connections in the role of a member of the Board. RKM Group is a long-term partner of LVI Kurikka and Korpi Capital's portfolio company.
Tatu Mäkimartti from Korpi Capital was elected as Chairman of the Board. Mikko Fischer from Korpi Capital and Ismo Penttilä from RKM Group were elected as new members of the Board. Jonne Kurikka will continue as a member of the Board.
LVI-Kurikka's special expertise includes a wide range of HVAC services, such as hot water, sewer and heating network renovations, as well as piping and ventilation renovations of large properties. The company currently has 28 employees.
Check out the company here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of Oma Rakennus
Palvelurahasto I Ky, managed by Korona Invest Oy, Suburbio Oy and the members of the company's Board of Directors sell the majority of Oma Rakennus Oy's shares to Korpi Capital Oy, founder of Rakennusliike Jusmar Oy, Jussi Airaksinen and the company's executive management. Oma Rakennus Oy is a company specializing in facade repair and construction.
The role of Korpi Capital is to expand Oma Rakennus' strategic, administrative and M&A expertise through board work. Renovation construction is playing an increasingly important role in Korpi's portfolio - in addition to Rakennusliike Jusmar, the target companies in the renovation construction industry include Kattotutka Oy, RKM Group Oy and LVI Kurikka Oy.
The founding partner of Korpi Capital, Tatu Mäkimartti has been elected as the new Chairman of the Board of Oma Rakennus and Korpi's partner Mikko Fischer as a member of the Board. In addition, Jussi Airaksinen, the founder of Jusmar, has been elected to the Board.
The share transaction will not cause any changes to the company's day-to-day operations or personnel. Petteri Rontti will continue as the company's CEO, member of the Board and shareholder.
Read more about Oma Rakennus here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of fitness company LL International
Korpi Capital Oy has acquired the entire share capital of Ab LL International Oy (LLI) together with the company's CEO Jyrki Hannula and sports expert Petri Laaksonen. LLI is one of Finland's leading players in the gym and wellness industry. The company has two franchise brands, a versatile EasyFit fitness center chain based on technological solutions, and a full-service LadyLine wellness chain designed for women. The company's 50 offices operating under the franchise business model moves about 60,000 people across Finland.
Jyrki Hannula has been the CEO of LLI for the past six years and will continue in his current position. Laaksonen is the new Chairman of the Board, Korpi Capital is represented on the Board by partner Mikko Fischer. The arrangement will not cause any changes to LLI's existing franchise, service or partnership agreements, but will continue under the current terms.
Both Korpi Capital Oy and Petri Laaksonen are owners of Fit Global Oy, which manages the gym operations of the Ole.Fit chain. With the share transaction of Ab LL International Oy, the aim is to relinquish these holdings.
Check out LLI's activities here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of Europak
Korpi Capital has acquired shares of Europak Oy. Europak Oy is a Finnish company founded in 1980 that manufactures plastic packaging and technical blown plastic products.
The role of Korpi Capital is to expand Europak's strategic, administrative, and M&A expertise through board work. Korpi Capital's founding partner Tatu Mäkimartti has been elected as the new Chairman of the Board of Europak and Korpi Capital's shareholder Mikko Fischer as a full member of the Board.
The share transaction will not affect the company's day-to-day operations. The company's name, address, and business ID remain unchanged.
Check out Europak Oy here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of Rakennusliike Jusmar
Korpi Capital has acquired the shares of Rakennusliike Jusmar Oy. The acquisition of shares was part of a reorganization implemented by Rakennusliike Jusmar with Korpi Capital.
Rakennusliike Jusmar has been working with public and professional builders for 15 years, implementing construction projects of various sizes. The company's special expertise is demanding renovation and changes in the intended use.
Korpi Capital's founding partner Tatu Mäkimartti and partner Mikko Fischer have been elected as members of the Board of Rakennusliike Jusmar.
With the new ownership base, Rakennusliike Jusmar aims for growth. The company aims to expand its operations to new locations through both organic growth and acquisitions. A key prerequisite for growth is recruitments, which will be implemented as the autumn progresses.
Check out Rakennusliike Jusmar Oy here.
Korpi Capital acquires Robotmation shares with Reaktor and Dynamik
Korpi Capital Oy alongside Reaktor Group Oy and Dynamik Oy has acquired the shares of Robotmation Oy, which operates in the field of automation technology. The acquisition offers Robotmation Oy an opportunity for international growth and expands its ownership base by the parties to the arrangement. Robotmation Oy will invest heavily in new premises and recruit new employees.
Check out Robotmation Oy here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of RKM Group
Juhani Kieksi has sold his stake in RKM Group Oy to the investment company Korpi Capital Oy when he retired. Kieksi served as the Chairman of the Board of RKM Group.
RKM Group is a specialist in indoor air and moisture damage, whose service package covers condition and damage surveys of properties as well as versatile damage and special renovation work.
Korpi Capital's founding partner Tatu Mäkimartti has been elected as the new Chairman of the Board of RKM Group. Korpi Capital's task is to expand RKM Group's strategic, administrative, and M&A expertise.
The share transaction will not affect the company's day-to-day operations. The company's name, address, billing information, and business ID remain unchanged.
Check out RKM Group here.
Korpi Capital acquires Fruitbox
Korpi Capital has acquired the entire share capital of Fruitbox Suomi Oy.
Fruitbox is Finland's oldest fruit service and supplier of corporate fruit. Fruitbox, which has been in operation since 1994, delivers fruit boxes to thousands of workplaces every week.
The mission of Korpi Capital is to expand Fruitbox's strategic, administrative, and M&A expertise.
The share transaction will not affect the company's day-to-day operations. The company name, billing information, and business ID remain unchanged. The company's new address is Pieni Roobertinkatu 13 B 26, 00130 Helsinki.
Check out Fruitbox here.
The new factory of Lahden Kestobetoni has been opened
The opening of Lahden Kestobetoni’s new factory was celebrated on November 8. The new prefabricated factory in Lahti will double the production of Kestobetoni.
The factory has been built ecologically, as the foundations, pillars, and beams have been built in the adjacent factory and the steel frame of the hall is reusable - before that, it held the ocean vessel in Hernesaari, Helsinki. Modern equipment and a new work environment will improve the working conditions of employees. The work itself does not change substantially but is still a precise and demanding craft, where the literacy of elemental images is the basis of professionalism.
Check out Kestobetoni here.
Korpi Capital acquires shares of Fit Global
Korpi Capital acquires shares of Fit Global Oy. The role of Korpi Capital as the company's minority shareholder is to support the company's profitable growth and expand its strategy, administrative, and financial expertise through board work.
Fit Global Oy is the company behind the Ole.Fit fitness center chain. Ole.Fit Fitness Centers help people to feel better and stronger, and offer their customers a comprehensive range of services that promote well-being. There are currently 35 Ole.Fit fitness centers throughout Finland.
Check out Fit Global here.
Korpi Capital increases its stake in Ruokaboksi
Korpi Capital increases its holding through a paid share issue in the food transport service Ruokaboksi Finland Oy.
Read more about Ruokaboksi here.
Korpi Capital celebrates the opening of its office with its partners
Today, Korpi Capital's team is celebrating the opening of its office together with its partners. Jukka Korpela, Professor of General History at the University of Eastern Finland, and Jukka Häkkinen, a researcher in observational psychology at the University of Helsinki, speak at the celebration. In addition, the carbon sequestration company Evergreen Finland Oy, just founded by Korpi Capital, will present itself at the event.
Korpi's office is located at Erottajankatu 1.
Lahden Kestobetoni doubles its production
Lahden Kestobetoni is expanding its production of concrete elements in Lahti. Durable concrete will begin construction of a new factory next to its existing facilities in November-December. The factory will be completed next spring and will allow production to double.
Kestobetoni is also set to double the number of employees. Kestobetoni, part of the Potius Group, currently employs about 40 people.
Read Etelä-Suomen Sanomat's article on the subject here.
Check out Kestobetoni here.
Boutique X opens its second hotel in Spain
Boutique X opens its second hotel in Benalmádena, Spain. The chain’s first hotel is located in Fuengirola.
Boutique X Benalmadena Pueblo is a modern boutique hotel right next to the sandy beaches of the Costa del Sol.
Check out the Boutique X concept here.