The German investment group Mutares SE & Co. $MUX (-0,19 %) announced that its portfolio company Serneke Sverige AB in Sweden has filed for bankruptcy, marking the latest collapse of a construction company in the largest Nordic country.

The filing with the Gothenburg District Court follows a "drastic financial deterioration in the second half of 2024", according to a statement on Wednesday.

The purchase of the Swedish construction and real estate company from Serneke Group AB had been agreed in July last year and was completed in November. Mutares said the bankruptcy filing has "no significant impact" on its operations or its other portfolio companies.

In 2023, Serneke Group was acquired by Doxa AB $DOXA whose share price plunged 50% in Stockholm on Tuesday, although some of the losses were recovered on Wednesday.

Doxa said in a separate statement that its involvement in the insolvent unit is limited to performance guarantees related to certain construction projects. Doxa estimates that its earnings will be negatively impacted by about 150 million crowns (13.4 million dollars).

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA $MUX (-0,19 %) has signed an agreement for the sale of Asteri Facility Solutions ("Asteri") to SOL Facility Services, with the closing taking place on the same day. The exit was already completed in December 2024, with the publication of the press release postponed to after the holidays in consideration of business operations. Following a successful repositioning of Asteri, Mutares was able to create a platform for further growth.

Johannes Laumann, CIO of Mutares, comments: "I am pleased to announce the sale of our portfolio company Asteri. The new owner SOL Facility Services is part of the Finnish family-owned SOL Group, which is one of the largest players in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The SOL Group has an annual turnover of over EUR 400 million and employs around 14,000 people. I am confident that the company will continue to develop in the right direction under the new ownership."

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA $MUX (-0,19 %) has signed an agreement to transfer Magirus from the Iveco Group. $IVG (+0,78 %) signed. The company will strengthen the Automotive & Mobility segment as a new platform investment.

Magirus is one of the best-known and technologically leading suppliers of firefighting technology worldwide.

Founded in 1864 and headquartered in Ulm, Germany, the company generates sales of over EUR 300 million and employs around 1,300 people at four locations in Germany, Italy, Austria and France.

Magirus offers a comprehensive range of products in the field of firefighting and disaster control, such as a complete program of vehicles, ladders, pumps, components and systems, including customer service and aftersales.

The company is represented in more than 70 countries worldwide and mainly supplies municipalities and public administrations, airports and industrial companies.

With its strong brand, world-class innovation and advanced technologies, the company has a unique competitive position as a leader in its field and is setting the stage for future growth in a resilient and expanding market, while optimizing its supply chain and seizing further overseas market opportunities.

The shares of Mutares $MUX (-0,19 %) have continued to rise significantly from their 21-day line at the start of the 2025 stock market year. The investment company announced another acquisition and another completed takeover shortly before the end of 2024.

With the acquisition of the Spanish industrial services provider Nervion, Mutares is continuing its recent series of transactions and investors have rewarded this step with a plus of around 12 percent so far on Thursday.

The shares thus took the top position in the second-line index SDax. In 2024, the share price had lost almost a third of its value. Mutares was thus one of the weakest SDax stocks last year.

Over a five-year period, however, the share price has more than doubled despite the decline last year. The company has a market capitalization of just over half a billion euros.

$MUX (-0,19 %) A strong start to the new year. Unfortunately I am not invested myself. Missed the entry this morning.

$MUX (-0,19 %)

My prediction for this year: we take out the ATH. In any case, the start to the year has been outstanding so far. What do you think?

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA $MUX (-0,19 %) has also successfully completed the acquisition of Natura sp. z o.o. from Pelion S.A. in 2024. The acquisition marks a significant expansion of the listed private equity holding company's Retail & Food segment and offers enormous potential for growth and operational improvements.

About Natura sp. z o.o.

Natura is one of the leading Polish retailers of beauty products and operates:

• 217 stores in Poland

• a successful online store under the "Natura" brand

The extensive product portfolio includes categories such as:

• Hygiene

• Perfume

• Make-up

• Face & Body

• Hair Care

In addition to well-known international brands, Natura offers high-quality private labels. With over 800 employees, the company generated sales of around EUR 100 million in the 2023 financial year.

Strategic importance of the acquisition:

• Market expansion and access to one of the fastest-growing markets in Europe, particularly in the beauty and care sector

• Natura's online store offers a platform to further expand the company's digital presence

• Mutares' expertise in restructuring and increasing efficiency should make Natura more profitable in the coming years

Robin Laik, CEO of Mutares SE & Co. KGaA said: "The acquisition of Natura sp. z o.o. is a further step in our strategy to expand our portfolio in the Retail & Food segment. With our operational approach, we will further develop Natura's strengths and focus the company on sustainable success."

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA $MUX (-0,19 %) has completed the acquisition of the VR Road Logistics business from the state-owned VR Group.

• Further strengthening of Mutares' presence in Finland after the successful acquisition of Palmia and Redo

• New platform investment for the Goods & Services segment

VR Road Logistics is a leading road logistics company providing mainly full truckload services to large industrial customers in the forestry, metals, construction and mining sectors. The company offers full truckload, circular economy, supply chain logistics and warehousing services. VR Road Logistics has long-term relationships with several blue-chip customers. The division generated revenue of approximately EUR 80 million in 2023