DT Group
Country: Denmark
Region: Hovedstaden
Investors: CVC Capital Partners
DT Group (formerly Danske Trælast) is the Nordic region’s largest builders merchant and DIY chain. CVC Capital Partners acquired the group in 2003 through an ¤850m public-to-private buyout from the Copenhagen Stock Exchange - the largest private equity transaction at the time on a Nordic stock exchange.
CVC’s investment rationale was built around the scope to deliver operational efficiency though centralised purchasing and improving underperforming units, as well as accelerating growth through merchandising. The investment eventually delivered a strong return for CVC’s investors through a sale to Wolseley in September 2006.
Søren Vestergaard-Poulsen
Partner - CVC Capital Partners
During CVC’s ownership we worked with the management to improve efficiency whilst growing the business and taking market share in all countries.
10%
sales growth in year prior to CVC’s exit
8,000
employees across the group
What did the business need?
Increase in operational efficiency
Improvement of underperforming units
Accelerated growth through investment
How did private equity backing create lasting value?
Radical change in the group’s purchasing approach from a country by division organisation to a group-wide pan-Nordic lead buyer structure
Rebranding of Danish builders merchant business, now named Stark, resulting in very strong improvements in sales and EBITDA
Modifications to the organisational structure and complete change of the management incentive plan to harmonise with the business plan
Review of property portfolio and strategy
What outcomes did private equity investment achieve?
Achieved target cost structures overall and by store
Group generated sales of ¤2.4bn and EBITDA of 170m euro in year to 31 January 2006
Sold group to Wolseley in September 2006 at a significantly higher value than at entry, and delivered strong return to investors
Gained market share in all principal markets
Investors
