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Dansk Vækstkapital

FSN CAPITAL IV INVESTERER I ROPLAN

17/08 2015

In a partnership to accelerate Roplan Holding AB (“Roplan”) group’s international growth, FSN Capital IV has agreed to acquire a majority position from its founder, Göran Wallenius, who will remain a significant minority shareholder in the group.

Roplan is a niche designer and manufacturer of high-end custom mechanical seals for rotating equipment with a unique OEM value proposition and global presence.

Founded in 1977, Roplan has developed into a leading designer and manufacturer of high precision, custom-made mechanical seals. Headquartered in Tumba (outside Stockholm, Sweden), Roplan also has sales and production / assembly facilities in Ningbo (China), UK (Newbury) and USA (Madison WI) an additional production unit in Sweden (Timrå). Activities performed in all locations are planned to continue in the current form and contribute to the future growth of Roplan.
With equipment rotating at high speed and potentially exposed to high pressures, heat and abrasive or corrosive chemicals, as well as high vibration levels, the design of a reliable mechanical seal is of great importance. Roplan’s seals are frequently used in pumps, compressors and mixers in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, wastewater, industrial as well as marine propulsion. In close relationship with leading blue-chip OEM customers, Roplan operates as a full-service partner across all steps from design and engineering to precision manufacturing and aftermarket post launch.

Lifetime of rotating equipment, such as pumps, is considerably longer than the expected life of its mechanical seal. As a wearable component, mechanical seals are typically replaced in scheduled intervals, generating a significant recurring spare parts business for Roplan’s OEM customers.

An integral member of the group is Steridose, a leading designer and manufacturer of aseptic processing equipment for the biopharmaceutical industry. Steridose introduced the use of the magnetic mixing technology to biopharmaceutical processes, eliminating risk of contamination, and has since its foundation developed a reputation as a highly innovative supplier of a complete range of fully documented and validated process components. As a global quality leader, Steridose is strongly positioned in an industry exhibiting substantial growth as an effect of the shift from traditional to biological pharmaceuticals.

Roplan Group has delivered 7% sales CAGR over the last ten years and generated sales of SEK 288m on LTM basis as per June 2015.

For more information, please visit www.roplan.com and www.steridose.com

After 38 years of building Roplan into an international company, I now feel that the time is right to bring in a partner to build on the current solid foundation. After a careful selection, FSN Capital emerged as the optimal choice and I look forward to continue building the company with Roplan’s talented management team and FSN ”, commented Göran Wallenius, Founder of Roplan.

We are privileged to serve many blue chip OEM customers and global biopharmaceutical business with our seals and Steridose range of products, We are excited with the opportunities this new ownership structure gives for the continued development of our businesses, in meeting their increasing expectations and presenting our solutions to potential new customers”, says Richard Tuck, Roplan’s CEO.

Roplan is a world-class OEM partner in high-end mechanical seals and quality-leading biopharma processing equipment provider, with a unique value proposition to our OEM customers that enables recurring revenues. Roplan has built a highly loyal and satisfied customer base, a strong management team, coupled with opportunities for further growth in current and new accounts in Sweden and internationally. Regarding our mechanical seal business, there are no plans to sell directly to end-users as we see strong merits in the collaborative, “win-win” OEM partnership model. We are excited about teaming up with the Wallenius family and management to develop the company globally”, says Ulrik Smith, Partner at FSN Capital, investment advisor to the FSN Captal funds

Peter Schmid (Senior VP Sales, LKAB, former Xylem Inc.) and Lennart Sundén (FSN Capital Executive Adviser, Chairman Troax and Aura Light, former Swedish Match, Electrolux) have both accepted to become board members in Roplan.

Roplan was advised by Livingstone Partners and BBR&T. FSN Capital was advised by Handelsbanken, KPMG, Hamilton, White & Case, AT Kearney, Golder and JLT.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms and conditions of the transaction.

For more information please contact:

Richard Tuck, CEO, Roplan
richard.tuck@roplan.com +46 708 78 43 01

Ulrik Smith, Partner at FSN Capital Partners
us@fsncapital.com +47 974 15 569

Morten Welo, COO & Investor Relations at FSN Capital Partners
mw@fsncapital.com +47 924 48 555

FSN Capital is a leading Nordic private equity investment firm focused on the middle-market segment. Originally established in 1999, FSN Capital seeks to make control investments in Nordic companies with significant potential to become international leaders. FSN Capital seeks to act with the highest level of integrity, taking a responsible approach when interacting with our portfolio companies, our advisors, our investors, local communities and the environment.

Dansk Vækstkapital har afgivet et investeringstilsagn på SEK 335 mio. (ca. DKK 265 mio.) til FSN Capital.