Earnings Release • Jul 2, 2021
Earnings Release
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Komplett enters the fast-growing IT service segment
Oslo, 2 July 2021: Komplett ASA ("Komplett") has entered into an agreement to
acquire 65 per cent of the shares in Ironstone Holding AS ("Ironstone"), a
leading supplier of cloud-based IT solutions and services.
This acquisition meets the growing demand from corporate customers for basic IT
services to complement traditional hardware purchases. The pure cloud technology
and IT service offered by Ironstone makes a strategically good fit with
Komplett's wide-ranging customer base.
Ironstone leverages the Microsoft Cloud technology platform to provide IT
services to both large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises. The
core offering comprises cutting edge innovative managed services, built on top
of Microsoft technologies such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and security,
as well as consulting and migration. Its experienced team of ~20 employees
generated revenues of NOK ~68 million in 2020 and a positive EBITDA
contribution. Since its foundation in 2016, they have grown its customer base to
count ~100 and receive excellent customer satisfaction scores.
The Komplett Group comprises brands with long heritage and high awareness among
consumers and corporate customers. Komplett B2B has a unique starting point as
the leading IT reseller for the small and medium-sized enterprises segment with
around 20 per cent market share in Norway and a growing position in Sweden. With
30.000 active customers in Norway and 10.000 in Sweden the Group's B2B segment
is uniquely positioned to enter the service market at scale. The two companies
complement each other well and this transaction will enable Ironstone to
continue their growth journey and scale up their operations.
"We see a growing demand from our customers to include basic IT set-up, cloud
-based applications and IT security to our hardware offering. The acquisition of
Ironstone represents a strategically attractive add-on for Komplett to enter the
rapidly growing IT service segment. By coupling Ironstone's leading cloud
technology and IT service offering with Komplett's wide-ranging customer base,
we will strengthen our market position and increase customer affiliation. We
believe the strong market position, brand and reach of Komplett B2B combined
with the future proof business model of Ironstone has significant potential,"
says Komplett CEO Lars Olav Olaussen.
Komplett will acquire 54.3 per cent of the shares from the current shareholders,
and as part of the transaction, Komplett will inject NOK 35 million in new
equity, giving Komplett a total ownership of 65.1 per cent. The capital
injection will be divided into two equally sized tranches, of which the first
will be paid immediately after closing and the second will be paid in 2022. The
parties have agreed on a total purchase price (shares and capital injection) of
NOK 97 million which is in line with what was indicated in the prospectus dated
8 June 2021.
The proceeds from the capital injection will be used to accelerate Ironstone's
existing business model and the development of a cloud-based IT service offering
for corporate customers. Ironstone is managed by Ellen Marie Nyhus, who will
continue to lead the company following the transaction.
"This is a milestone agreement for Ironstone. Getting Komplett onboard provides
us with a strong foundation for realizing the full potential of Ironstone's
growth journey. With the support from Komplett we will continue to invest to
accelerate the development of current Ironstone core offering and to develop new
disruptive IT services for corporate customers", says Ironstone CEO Ellen Marie
Nyhus.
Following completion of this transaction Ironstone will be included in the
financial reporting of Komplett's B2B segment, under the management of Stian
Gabrielsen.
"Komplett is a leading provider of computers and basic IT equipment to Nordic
small and medium-sized enterprises. With the cloud technology provided by
Ironstone we will be able to add cost-effective IT service bundles to our IT
equipment offering. Together, we aim to become the preferred IT equipment and
services partner for corporate customers in the Nordics," says Stian Gabrielsen,
Director B2B in Komplett.
The company is currently privately owned by the founding partners and key
employees. The majority of the current owners will continue as shareholders
following the transaction.
"We have come a long way since we decided to establish a 100 per cent cloud
company in 2016, and now we are entering a new era. As a leading Nordic e
-commerce player, Komplett makes a strategically attractive partner, and
provides us with a strong financial platform to scale growth. We are proud and
excited to continue this journey together with our new fellow shareholders,"
says Tormod Eek, founder and Business & Sales Evangelist at Ironstone.
The parties have agreed on a put/call option which regulates the opportunity for
Komplett to acquire the remaining shares in Ironstone over time.
The transaction is expected to be completed during the third quarter 2021.
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements in article 19 of the
Regulation EU 596/2014 (the EU Market Abuse Regulation) and section 5-12 of the
Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Kristin Hovland, Head of Communication
+47 98 65 28 60
Krister Pedersen, CFO
+47 95 24 50 37
About Komplett ASA
Komplett Group is a leading online-first electronics and IT products retailer,
operating in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Serving customers in the B2C, B2B and
distribution markets, the Group is deeply focused on delivering best in class
customer experience, built through decades of knowhow, expertise and deep
customer commitment. Komplett Group operates an efficiency and scalable business
model that supports costs leadership and enables a competitive product offering.
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