Bjelin Group Secures €200 Million Investment from SVP to Drive Growth
Deal News | Jan 13, 2025 | PR Newswire Cision Strategic Value Partners, LLC
Strategic Value Partners (SVP), a global alternative investment firm, has announced a €200 million preferred equity investment in Sweden's Bjelin Group, owned by the Pervan family. This investment is aimed at supporting Bjelin Group's acquisition of Välinge Group's industrial business and their merger with Bjelin Industries. The investment aligns with Bjelin's goal of becoming a leading sustainable wood flooring company. The Pervan family will maintain a 97% stake in Bjelin Group after the transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025, pending customary approvals. Välinge Group, noted for its Woodura® technology, sees potential for high growth and may pursue a public listing. Partners in the transaction include Citi and Nordea as joint placement agents, with legal advice from firms including Kirkland and Ellis and Mannheimer Swartling.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Manufacturing
- Sustainable Products
Geography
- Sweden – Bjelin Group is a Swedish company, and the transaction involves Välinge Group, which is partly based in Sweden.
- Croatia – The production facilities for some of Bjelin Group's operations are located in Croatia.
- Europe – Both SVP and Bjelin Group operate within the European region, influencing the strategic investment landscape.
Industry
- Private Equity – The article discusses an investment made by Strategic Value Partners, a private equity firm, into Bjelin Group.
- Manufacturing – The article concerns Bjelin Group's activities in manufacturing through its involvement with Välinge Group's industrial business, focusing on wood flooring and furniture production.
- Sustainable Products – The article highlights the investment's aim to expand Bjelin Group's capabilities in producing sustainable wood flooring products using Woodura® technology.
Financials
- €200 million – The amount invested by SVP in Bjelin Group as a preferred equity investment.
- $19 billion – The total assets under management by Strategic Value Partners.
- €500 million – Amount invested by Välinge and Bjelin in Woodura® production and development over the past seven years.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Value Partners, LLC | Investor | Companies | A global alternative investment firm managing approximately $19 billion in assets, focusing on special situations, private equity, and opportunistic credit. |
| Bjelin Group AB | Target Company | Companies | A company owned by the Pervan family, aiming to become a leader in sustainable wood flooring through the acquisition of Välinge Group's industrial business. |
| Välinge Group | Target of Acquisition | Companies | Engaged in licensing for flooring and furniture applications and industrial manufacturing of flooring using Woodura® technology. |
| KIRKBI Invest A/S | Owner of Välinge Group | Companies | Holds a 49% ownership stake in Välinge Group. |
| Pervan Family | Owner of Bjelin Group | People | The family holding full ownership of Bjelin Group, driving its strategic initiatives. |
| Citi | Placement Agent | Companies | Served as a joint placement agent for the investment. |
| Nordea | Placement Agent | Companies | Served as a joint placement agent for the investment. |
| Kirkland and Ellis | Legal Advisor | Companies | Provided legal counsel to Strategic Value Partners. |
| Mannheimer Swartling | Legal Advisor | Companies | Provided legal counsel to Bjelin Group. |
| Darko Pervan | Chairman and Founder of Bjelin Group | People | Key figure in developing the Woodura® technology and driving the strategic direction of Bjelin Group. |
| Fredrik Alfredsson | Appointed CEO of Bjelin Group | People | Brings extensive international experience within the flooring business to Bjelin Group as the new CEO. |
| Niclas Håkansson | CEO of Välinge Innovation AB | People | Leading Välinge Innovation's efforts to commercialize Woodura® technology and oversee its possible public listing. |