Kesko to acquire Reinin liha and Kalatukku E. Eriksson
In June, Kesko-owned Kespro will acquire two traditional family businesses, Reinin liha butcher and Kalatukku E. Eriksson fish wholesaler. After the change in ownership, both companies will continue operating as independent companies, and their full staff and operational management will carry on with their duties. The cooperation will gradually bring the quality products of the two renowned companies to restaurant customers across the country.
"The acquisition of Reinin liha and Kalatukku E. Eriksson will make Kespro Finland's first wholesaler to offer specialist fresh goods and expertise in considerably wider scale than before, alongside its traditional wholesale selection. Our restaurant clients will benefit from the higher quality and more customised service through one channel. For Kespro and the entire K-Group, this presents an opportunity to have a yet more solid presence in the expanding restaurant market," Kespro Managing Director, Mika Halmesmäki notes.
The change of ownership provides the two market leaders a strong basis for expanding their operations.
"Joining the K-Group and Kespro opens whole new growth opportunities for us: via Kespro, we hope to offer our products to an increasing number of people in Finland, whilst also remember our primary aims of keeping our hand in the day-to-day running of things and ensuring the excellence of our products and service," Pirjo Passinen from Reinin liha adds.
"We are enthusiastic about this new chapter for our company. In addition to gaining new growth opportunities, I am hoping that we can provide our 135 years of fish experience to Kespro and thus to the whole K-Group," says Kai Röntynen, the chairman of the board at Kalatukku E. Eriksson.
Both companies will be able to utilise Kespro's efficient logistics and systems, which will make their high-quality products available to the Finnish hotel, restaurant and catering industry. The production volume will be expanded gradually to ensure that the excellent quality of the products remains. The products will be available to a larger customer base over the autumn.
With regards to Kalatukku E. Eriksson, the merger still requires the approval of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.
Further information:
Mika Halmesmäki, managing director, Kespro, tel. +358 (0)50 502 3582
Pirjo Passinen, Reinin liha, tel. +358 (0)50 591 6920
Mika Jääskeläinen, Managing Director, Kalatukku E. Eriksson, tel. +358 (0)40 500 0302
Anni Sironen, Communications Manager, K-Group, tel. +358 (0)40 543 2238
Kesko and K-retailers form K Group, whose sales total over €13 billion. K Group is the third largest retail operator in northern Europe and it employs approximately 45,000 people. Kesko operates in the grocery trade, the building and technical trade and the car trade. Its divisions and chains act in close cooperation with retailer entrepreneurs and other partners. Kesko's net sales are €10 billion and it employs approximately 28,000 people. Kesko has nearly 2,000 stores engaged in chain operations in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus and Poland. Kesko is a listed company and its shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. The company's domicile and main premises are in Helsinki. www.kesko.fi
