Scope new majority owner of Pocketstället
November 21, 2008
Private equity firm Scope has, through the Scope Growth II L.P. fund, invested in P. Pocketstället AB. The two founders Staffan Månsson (CEO) and Johan Ramström (Sales Manager) remain as significant partners in the company and continue to hold current operative responsibilities in the business.
Due to its unique service concept Pocketstället has established itself as a leading book distributor to the Swedish retail trade, with clients such as ICA, Coop, Willys, Hemköp, Tempo, EKO butikerna, City Gross, Pressbyrån, 7-Eleven, Vi, Sabis, Netto, Rusta och Barnens Hus. In 2006 Pocketstället’s founder Staffan Månsson was honoured with the prestigious price Founders Award.
“Pocketstället is an investment in line with Scope’s goal to invest in growth companies that are well-positioned for continued expansion. Staffan Månsson and Johan Ramström are two successful entrepreneurs – the company they started in 1998 has grown by 25 to 50 per cent annually, and is today profitable with sales of around 100 million kronor. We intend to work with the founders to further develop their excellent customer relationships and knowledge of the book and retail trade industries,” says Kristina Patek, Partner at Scope.
“We see Scope’s investment as an acknowledgement of our success in establishing Pocketstället as one of the leaders on the Swedish book market. Through Scope’s experience and financial strength, we’re looking forward to taking the next step in Pocketstället’s development – among other things, expansion in the Nordic region is next in line,” says Staffan Månsson, CEO of Pocketstället.
For more information:
Kristina Patek, Partner, Scope
+46 8 50 60 62 00
Staffan Månsson, co-founder and CEO, Pocketstället
+46 8 544 442 82
About Pocketstället
Pocketstället was founded in 1998 to introduce the sale of paperback books in grocery stores. Pocketstället’s business concept is to offer customers of established retail chains an attractive selection of quality paperback books, while also being the most service- and needs-oriented solution for individual retailers. Today, the company also works with hardcover books and owns its own book displays located at its clients’ premises. For more information see www.pocketstallet.se.
About Scope
Scope Growth II L.P. is a private equity fund that, together with entrepreneurs, invests in building internationally relevant, Nordic-based companies based on innovation and creativity. Scope’s portfolio companies include Avail Intelligence, Artificial Solutions, Safetool and Student Consulting, all of which have broken new ground in their respective fields. In 2008 Sun Microsystems bought Scope’s portfolio company MySQL for one billion US dollars. Scope manages two funds with a combined capital exceeding 1.2 billion kronor. The first fund was established in 2001 and the second in 2007. Scope Capital Advisory, with operations based in Stockholm and Geneva, is advisor to the funds. For more information see www.scope.se.