With the transfer of the main activity of XL-BYG Arctic Import to Optimera, Arctic Group takes a crucial step in the company's history. Going forward, the focus should be on the product areas and concept solutions where Arctic Group is a strong and experienced player on the market in Greenland.

Transfer of the main activity of XL-BYG Arctic Import

With retroactive effect to 1 January, shares of the activity of XL-BYG Arctic Import are tranferred to Optimera from where the operation of construction goods will be carried on. Consolidation in the construction industry is going fast in the coming years, and within a few years there will be only a few providers left in the industry.

"We expect larger contractors to provide goods for future building projects, and it also occurs in Greenland. Therefore we have decided to sell the part of the XL-BYG Arctic Import with activities aimed at the building industry to Optimera, which is part of Europe's largest building product chain Saint Gobain, "says CEO Peter Freiesleben, Arctic Group. "It was important for us to find a buyer that has experience with the market in Greenland, specifically to ensure our talented staff's future."

Arctic Group

In addition to owning XL-BYG Arctic Import, Arctic Group also owns Arctic Import which has been a significant partner on the market in Greenland since 1978, 5 retail shops and a company on the Faeroes. Arctic Import has acted with Greenlandic companies for nearly 40 years and also trades with Iceland, North Atlantic and other global markets.

"Going forward, Arctic Group puts even greater focus on activities in Greenland in the areas where we can make a crucial difference for our customers. Therefore we implement sales of construction machinery and equipment, where we have exclusive distribution for Komatsu, Manitou, and Atlas Copco and Mobil Oil within Arctic Import. In addition, we will intensify our complete total delivery concepts for trawler and ship supply, and mining and offshore industry in Greenland and globally, "says CEO Peter Freiesleben. But there's more to it than Arctic Group.

Arctic Import - an experienced player on the market in Greenland

Since 1978 Arctic Import has delivered products and services to the North Atlantic markets and is an experienced player on the market. "With a range of quality products and concept solutions, we cover our customers' needs and wants within the business areas Retail, Hotel & Institutional, Food Service and Supply," says Allan Frost, Director of Arctic Import.

It implies that the Arctic Import is a significant player on the market in Greenland when it comes to delivering
• Food, groceries, Frozen Foods, Fresh Products, Meat, Poultry and Fish and Spreads
• Fruit & Vegetables, Dairy Products, Ice Cream, Bread, Dry Goods, Non-food, confectionery and Chips and Snacks
• Cleaning and care articles, Stationery and Educational Materials, Large Kitchen, Furniture and Furnishing, Toys and Sports

In the future, Arctic Import’s primary task is still to be the best qualified supplier of products for private and public companies and institutions in Greenland. "We are strong in our core areas, and we will continue to focus on and develop in these areas," says Allan Frost. "In addition we will work to develop concept solutions that are tailored to each client's needs as we believe this to important in the future. We can see a need in catering and cleaning concepts which are both part of our product scope today. Our goal is to tie together product areas in working with concepts as we can see this adding value to our customers - and this is an important factor for us. "

Focus is on the Mining and Offshore industry in Greenland at the moment, and here Arctic Import has ambitions to be significant player.”We have extensive experience with the logistical processes that are crucial for trading in extremely remote areas. Therefore, our customers are always guaranteed a high degree of flexibility in the provision of goods, "says Allan Frost, who looks forward to getting the new product areas from the previous XL-BYG Arctic Import into the portfolio.

For further information please contact:
Peter Freiesleben, CEO Arctic Group, tel 25 42 09 17
Allan Frost, Director Arctic Import, tel 22 77 80 60