12/20/2017 7:11 AM Ahlsell acquires leading Norwegian supplier of workwear and personal protective equipment

Bekken & Strøm is one of the largest suppliers in Norway in workwear, protective equipment, work shoes and profile clothing. The company's headquarters and central warehouses are located in Gjøvik and stores are located in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, Kristiansand, Gjøvik, Sandefjord, Mo i Rana and Stryn.

"An ever growing demand for safety combined with stricter governmental requirements drives the demand for PPE and together with Bekken & Strøm we will be able to offer our customers the widest range of products in the market", says Rune Flengsrud, Head of operations at Ahlsell Norge AS.

Bekken & Strøm is a well-established supplier in Norway, has a broad geographical exposure, a well-functioning online store, sells own branded goods and owns one of Norway's largest print-services for profile work clothes. Torbjørn Bekken, CEO of Bekken & Strøm AS, sees further potential to strengthening its already strong market position: "Together with Ahlsell, we can reach even more customers and offer complementing products and services to our current range of work wear and protective equipment."

Ahlsell intends to acquire 100% of the shares and the business will continue under its own brand. The acquisition comprises of the purchase of 100% of the shares in Bekken & Strøm AS and Sandefjord Skofabrikk AS. The deal is subject to approval by the Norwegian Competition Authority and closing is planned for January 2018. The acquisition is expected have a marginal positive impact on the Group's earnings for 2018.

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Ahlsell AB (publ) is the Nordic region’s leading distributor of installation products, tools and supplies for installers, construction companies, facility managers, industrial and power companies and the public sector. The unique customer offer covers more than one million individual products and solutions. The Group has a turnover of approximately SEK 27 billion and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. About 97 percent of the revenue is generated in the three main markets of Sweden, Norway and Finland. With over 5,000 employees, more than 200 branches and three central warehouses, we constantly fulfil our customer promise: Ahlsell makes it easier to be professional.