Båstad-Gruppen, Nordic supplier of high-quality safety and occupational shoes, has been acquired by Storskogen, a private equity firm

Livingstone’s Consumer sector team has advised Båstad-Gruppen on its sale to Storskogen. Based on the sellers’ requests and value expectations, Livingstone evaluated financial investors and selected strategic buyers in order to reach an optimal outcome for both the sellers and the company.

Båstad-Gruppen engaged Livingstone to find a new majority owner after the owners decided, in agreement with their children, to no longer keep the business in the family. With the main objective being long-term ownership, the owners wished for a partner to support management in the development of the company and the Monitor brand.

“I’m impressed by Livingstone’s professional and experienced approach. I’ve done business all my life, but I have never experienced such an immediate trust for a partner as I did for the Livingstone team,” says Thomas Svensk, CEO and Owner of Båstad-Gruppen.

Båstad-Gruppen is a leading Nordic supplier of high-quality safety and occupational shoes and clothes under the brand Monitor, as well as an exclusive distributor of Birkenstock in Sweden and Norway. Founded back in 1907, it has developed from a traditional clogs manufacturer to an innovator within today’s protective wear, drawing inspiration from both sports and fashion.

“We are very pleased by this acquisition. It’s a well-managed company with great knowledge and a solid niche position. We look forward to developing this profitable business along with the management team,” says Christer Hansson at Storskogen.

Storskogen is a Swedish privately owned investment firm that acquires and develops small and medium-sized companies, primarily in Sweden. Storskogen has a diversified portfolio of 33 independent companies with a combined turnover of just over SEK 5 billion.

“We appreciate being given the opportunity to advise on this transaction. We’ve been committed to evaluating various buyer categories, all the while prioritizing finding a buyer that would share the company’s culture, values, and ambitions,” says Tomas Lind, Senior Adviser and head of region South Sweden at Livingstone.

The completion of this transaction reinforces Livingstone’s credentials in the utility wear space, following the sale of Nordic safety shoe brand Arbesko to B&B Tools, the sale of US outdoor sporting goods distributor Maurice Sporting Goods, and the sale of British sailing and country apparel brand Musto to Helly Hansen.

“The market is generally fueled by an increased focus on occupational health and safety, but as the safety standard increases, features like design, comfort, and innovation start to play a more important role. Nordic product companies are cutting edge in these areas, which is evident from the continued great interest from both financial investors and strategic buyers,” says Marcus Åström, Associate Director at Livingstone.

Livingstone acted as exclusive financial adviser to Båstad-Gruppen, and Advokatfirman Lindahl was its legal adviser, during the sales process.