“We are very pleased about the opportunity to acquire the sawmills from Karl Hedin, as they are an excellent addition to our twelve existing sawmills,” Måns Johansson, CEO of Vida, says about his decision. “Karl Hedin has managed these sawmills very well, and we see a great work culture that we would like to preserve.”
Cumulatively, the three sawmills produce around 550,000 m³ a year. The acquisition brings Vida’s annual production capacity to a total of 3.3 million m³, making the company the third-largest sawmill group in Europe. Only Binderholz and Stora Enso are larger.
Vida believes that the new size and specialization of the sawmills will improve its offering on the global market and strengthen its position as a leading supplier of lumber products. Furthermore, the acquisition is expected to expand Vida’s presence in central Sweden, which will provide advantages in log purchasing.
“We are pleased to have found a new long-term owner in Vida,” Karl Hedin, majority owner of AB Karl Hedin, comments. “Their corporate culture is similar to ours, with a focus on entrepreneurship and development. Together, our companies can leverage each other’s strengths and unique competencies and continue to play an important role in the industry.”
AB Karl Hedin will continue to operate under its current name and brand, with Fredrik Marnefeldt acting as its CEO. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities.
Earlier this year, it was announced that AB Karl Hedin was seeking a buyer for its sawmill division.
