In 1980, Robert Weil acquired Tretorn Intressenter and changed the name to Proventus: an international investment company. Proventus had a demonstrated ability to make investments where the risk-reward profile was most attractive. Combined with a strategically opportunistic investment strategy, this approach enabled the company to earn consistent profits regardless of short- term business cycles. Proventus always maintained a conservative approach to financial risk in its operations and refrained from leveraging sensitive situations.

Between 1980 and 1997, the company realized a compounded net annual rate of return exceeding 40%. Starting with an initial equity of SEK 16 million, Proventus’ earnings aggregated approximately SEK 5.5 billion. Profits where reinvested in the business or returned to shareholders. At the end of 1997, Proventus had a net asset value exceeding SEK 2.4 billion, equivalent to approximately $300 million USD. Proventus was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange until 1995, when the company went private in a leveraged buy-out.

The investment philosophy of Proventus was and is based on the principle of active ownership. At the time, Proventus strived to be the controlling shareholder in a company, achieved through influential ownership stake. The operating strategy was focused on identifying situations where companies and industries where undergoing change and their market valuation did not reflect their underlying strengths.

In many investments, Proventus took an active role in assembling a strong management team, and worked closely with management through the board of directors. The goal was always to create value on the basis of improved operational, financial and industrial structures.

Where appropriate, Proventus initiated change with approaches that included build-ups, consolidations, restructurings, spin-offs, recapitalizations and turnarounds.