First step in Nordic expansion Dustin acquires Danish Computerstore A/S

Dustin Group AB, Sweden’s largest web and catalog-based retailer of all IT-related products, has acquired the Danish company Computerstore A/S. The transaction is the first step in Dustin’s Nordic expansion. Computerstore A/S has 91 employees and has sales of SEK 475 M.

Dustin is a supplier-independent retailer of all IT-related products, that is, equipment, software and services. The company was formed in Stockholm in 1984. In the past ten years, the company has gone from sales of SEK 200 M and 20 employees to estimated sales in this year of SEK 3 billion and 230 employees. Since August 2006, the main owner is the private equity company Altor. 

“The acquisition of Computerstore A/S is the first step in creating a strong Nordic operation,” says Per Eriksson, Chairman of the Board of Dustin Group AB. “Dustin shall be the leading player in the consolidation of the Nordic market. The strategy is to grow both organically and through acquisitions. After Denmark, the company’s sights are set on Norway and Finland. In five years, we will have sales of SEK 12 billion and be the leading player in the Nordic region.”  

Computerstore A/S currently offers IT products for small and medium-sized companies and to the public sector. The company was formed in the beginning of the 1990s and reported sales of SEK 475 M for the 2006/2007 fiscal year. The greater part of Computerstore A/S is owned by its President and founder Lars Bräuner, with a smaller part owned by the employees.  

“The acquisition by Dustin will have many positive effects for the Danish operation. When the integration is complete, our customers will gain access to an even broader range and a unique logistics solution with safer and considerably faster deliveries. Our employees will be part of the rapidly growing company, which will result in the creation of new development opportunities, for example,” says Lars Bräuner, President of Computerstore A/S. 

Lars Bräuner will remain in his position as President of Computerstore A/S Danmark and will be included as a member of Dustin Group’s Nordic management. In conjunction with the transaction, Lars Bräuner will become a part owner in Dustin Group AB.  

Dustin is specialized in the delivery of an extensive range of IT equipment, software and services, primarily to companies. Sales are conducted via the Internet, telephone and catalogs and through relationship selling.  Dustin’s purchasing model and logistics solution focus on a high degree of delivery precision. Customers receive rapid and easy access to the products and solutions they need – when they are needed. The company’s distribution center with 65,000 items provides cost-efficient access to the latest and best technology.  

“Computerstore A/S and Dustin are well suited, both industrially and culturally. Computerstore A/S offers leadingedge expertise within relationship selling and provides Dustin with a strong presence in Denmark. Through this transaction, we jointly create the conditions for a continued expansion in the Danish market,” says Per Eriksson at Dustin.  

Payment for the acquisition of Computerstore A/S will be in cash and shares in Dustin Group AB.  

Dustin’s acquisition of Computerstore A/S will be the second with Altor as the main owners.  

For further information, contact: 
Per Eriksson, Chairman of the Board Dustin, Group AB, tel. +46-70-249 07 42 
Lars Bräuner, President, Computerstore A/S, tel. +45-24 24 32 00 

For images, visit www.dustin.se and search under company and press images. 

About Dustin 
Dustin was founded in 1984 and is Sweden’s and soon to be the Nordic region’s largest web and catalog-based retailer of all IT-related products, that is, IT equipment, accessories, software and services, primarily to companies. Dustin estimates that sales will total slightly more than SEK 3 billion in 2007. The company has about 230 employees. Dustin is distinguished by a high growth rate and profitability. Since August 2006, the private equity company Altor is the main owner. For further information, see www.dustin.se and www.altor.seAbout

Computerstore A/S 
Computerstore A/S was founded in the beginning of the 1990s and is one of Denmark’ leading suppliers of IT products. The operation is based on relationship selling and rapid deliveries to customers throughout Denmark.  Computerstore A/S has 91 employees and had sales of SEK 475 M for the 2006/2007 fiscal year. Sales have grown by approximately 20 percent per year in the most recent four-year period. For further information, see www.computerstore.dk