Our history

Proventus was founded in 1980 by Robert Weil. It became a listed company on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1982, when consumer-products conglomerate Upsala-Ekeby was acquired. This first major investment comprised, apart from the real estate company Solna Centrum, a number of international premium brands, such as ceramics manufacturer Rörstrand, crystal glass manufacturer Kosta Boda and cutlery manufacturer GAB Gense.

Proventus’ history as a listed company lasted until 1995, when the company was taken private, and subsequently de-listed. During the years as a listed company, Proventus made a large number of high-profiled investments, such as the restructuring of Kosta Boda, the formation of the Gota group, the involvement in Datatronic and the 1993 takeover of the Aritmos group including Tretorn and Puma. The turn-around of Aritmos, where inter alia the global sporting brand Puma was re-ignited, marks a historic achievement in terms of successful restructuring processes.

Proventus cultural commitments started with Robert Weil’s participation in the foundation of Magasin 3 Stockholm Konsthall in the late 1980s and the Jewish Theatre in the beginning of the 1990s.

Following the de-listing in 1995, Proventus entered a phase of lower industrial activity. During 2003, the Proventus investment organization was re-activated as Daniel Sachs became new CEO. A new investment organisation was operational in the beginning of 2004.

After that, Proventus has again increased its industrial activity. In 2004 Proventus became principal shareholder in publicly traded toy company BRIO. During the same year, Proventus also created Design Research, merging Finnish Artek, which manages the legacy of legendary designer Alvar Aalto, and UK contemporary design agency Tom Dixon. Between 2005 and 2007, Proventus was a major shareholder in the leading commercial broadcasters TV4 in Sweden and MTV in Finland.

In 2009, Proventus laid the ground for Proventus Capital Partners, a co-investment vehicle through which Proventus invests its own and external funds in public corporate bonds, leveraged loans and private corporate loans to mid-sized companies in need for growth and restructuring capital. Along with this principal investment direction, Proventus continues to contribute to the development of its equity holdings.

For a fuller picture of Proventus’ history, please turn to the annual report section