Kämp Group and Hotel Klaus K join forces, creating the undisputed leader in the Helsinki luxury and lifestyle hotel market

CapMan Press Release 15 May 2014 at 12.03 p.m. EEST                                   

Kämp Group and Hotel Klaus K join forces, creating the undisputed leader in the Helsinki luxury and lifestyle hotel market

CapMan's portfolio company Kämp Group, a Finnish luxury hotel group, charges forward on its growth path by acquiring the lifestyle hotel Klaus K in Helsinki. By joining forces, Kämp Group will take the luxury and lifestyle hotel scene of Helsinki to the next level. Immediately, Klaus K will grow by introducing 30 new large luxury rooms under a unique Sky Loft brand this summer. As a result of the transaction, Rake Oy, the owner of Klaus K, becomes a significant owner of Kämp Group.

In March 2014, funds managed by CapMan acquired a majority holding in Kämp Group, known for the distinguished Hotel Kämp and the modern lifestyle hotel chain GLO Hotels. The objective of the transaction was to expand Kämp Group's operations and further strengthen its position as the leading luxury and lifestyle hotel player in Finland. Now Kämp Group takes a significant step forward in realising its strategy by acquiring Klaus K, Finland's first real design hotel.

"Working toward the objective of strengthening Kämp Group further, we were very interested in the success of the Klaus K brand and their exceptional service culture. The acquisition of Klaus K really puts Kämp Group in the fast lane to achieve its growth objective. Klaus K is a natural fit to the Kämp Group philosophy and the existing hotels," says Ari Tolppanen, Senior Partner at CapMan Buyout and the Chairman of Kämp Group.

"For Rake Group, this is a purposeful move in our company with 147-year history. We are proud to integrate our family tradition and passion for hospitality with the resources of CapMan to create a leading Nordic luxury and lifestyle hotel company. We have an evolutionary approach to hotel business: Ten years ago, we brought the lifestyle hotel genre to Helsinki, and now we are redefining the concept of a luxury hotel room with our Sky Lofts brand. I believe that as a part of a larger group, we are in an even greater position to offer career development opportunities to our exceptional service team," says Kenneth Cederberg, CEO and managing director of Rake Group.

Kämp Group is the clear market leader in the luxury and lifestyle hotel segment of Helsinki with a total of nearly 1,000 rooms.  "This is a substantial step forward. We do this for the benefit of our guests, our personnel and eventually for the benefit of the city of Helsinki," comments Aarne Hallama, the CEO of Kämp Group. "We will add new, marvelous features in the hotel landscape of Helsinki. One example of this is the new Klaus K Sky Lofts which will be available in July 2014. The Sky Lofts will include a spectacular top floor suite and a roof top terrace, offering the best rooms in Helsinki."

Mia Cederberg-Skvorc, current Director of Operations at Klaus K, will be promoted to lead Klaus K. Marc Skvorc, General Manager of Klaus K, is appointed General Manager of Hotel Kämp and will lead the introduction of the new Sky Loft brand.

"Hotel Kämp is well known for its excellent service and beautiful, historic property. I am very honored and excited to have this opportunity to lead this exceptional hotel and to elevate the Helsinki luxury and lifestyle hotel market as part of the Kämp Group," adds Marc Skvorc, the newly appointed General Manager of Hotel Kämp.

Futher information:

Ari Tolppanen: Senior Partner, CapMan Buyout, tel. +358 50 0407343

Kenneth Cederberg: Managing Director, Rake Group, tel. +358 40 750 2959

Aarne Hallama: CEO, Kämp Group, +358 50 645 88

Marc Skvorc: General Manager, Klaus K, +358 40 900 3711

CapMan www.capman.com

CapMan Buyout is the largest mid-market private equity team in the Nordic region, with 20 investment professionals in Finland, Norway and Sweden and 24 years of experience. The team has made a total of 77 investments and 56 exits and its tenth fund CapMan Buyout X is currently in active investment phase.

CapMan Buyout is part of CapMan Group, a leading private equity firm in the Nordic countries and Russia, with assets under management of EUR 3.1 billion. CapMan has five key investment partnerships - CapMan Buyout, CapMan Russia, CapMan Credit, CapMan Public Market and CapMan Real Estate - each of which has its own dedicated investment team and funds. Altogether, CapMan employs around 100 professionals in Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Moscow and Luxembourg. 

Kämp Group www.kampgroup.fi, www.hotelkamp.fi, www.hotelglo.fi, www.kampspa.fi, www.klauskhotel.com

Kämp Group Ltd is a Finnish hotel group, which includes a number of the most renowned hotels and restaurants in Helsinki and Kämp Spa. The Group employs around 400 people and its target turnover for 2014 is around EUR 55 million. The Group's internationally most famous hotel is in 1887 grounded legendary Hotel Kämp and the Group also includes luxury and lifestyle hotel Klaus K and popular lifestyle hotel chain GLO Hotels. Kämp Group is owned by funds managed by CapMan, Berling Capital Oy and Rake Group. 

Klaus K www.klauskhotel.com

Klaus K is a personal contemporary hotel inspired by Finland's national epic, it's nature and drama. Klaus K is Finland's first and only member of Design Hotels (trademark). The atmosphere is created by the exceptional service culture and the multiple spaces which combine into one unique experience: The restaurant Toscanini, The Living Room lounge, the intimate Ahjo Club, Rake Sali Ballroom and Stages Meeting Space. The unconventional guest rooms equal 139 for the moment but in summer 2014, Klaus K will expand with 30 SKY LOFTS including a roof top terrace. Klaus K is part of three global hotel alliances: the Luxury Collection, Design Hotels as well as Global Hotel Alliance.

Rake www.rake.fi

Rake Oy, established in 1867, is the parent company of Rake Group. The Group consists of Rake Real Estate Oy, owner-developer of prestigious real estate properties in the center of Helsinki and Labnet Oy, a company specialized in importing and distributing products and equipment to laboratories and to life science industry. Rake Oy is also an owner of Kämp Group Ltd.