The history of OptiGroup began back in 1895 when Marcus Wallenberg bought a paper mill in Mölndal on Sweden's west coast and made it famous under the name Papyrus. Since then, the company has grown to become a leading European distribution Group offering customised supply solutions to B2B customers primarily within cleaning & facility management, hotel & restaurant, healthcare, manufacturing industry and the graphical sector. In 2017, the parent company Papyrus was renamed OptiGroup to facilitate the transformation journey. The Papyrus companies are still important members of the OptiGroup family and the well-established brand is recognised for its value creating services to the graphical industry.
Today, OptiGroup's daughter companies provide reliable and sustainable supply solutions to a large number of industries that improve efficiency on a daily basis and enable customers to focus on their core business. A brief overview of the history of the company is presented below.
OptiGroup acquires Top Service (DE), Ubro System Pac (DK), Bentsen (DK) and Døvigen (NO).
OptiGroup acquires Facility Trade Group (NL), Dirksen (NL) and Van den IJssel Bedrijfskleding (NL) .
FSN Capital VI acquires OptiGroup and the Dutch company Hygos and creates a leading European Group in the business-to-business distribution industry. In connection with the transaction, Hygos was incorporated into the parent company OptiGroup Holding AB and the combined Group operates under the brand OptiGroup.
OptiGroup acquires Mediost (NL), Daxtrio (NL), MaskeGruppen (NO) and SG Verpakkingen (NL).
OptiGroup transformed into a leading diversified distribution group and an attractive owner of entrepreneurial companies in a "house of brand" structure.
OptiGroup acquires PacsOn (SE), Koemans Verpakkingen (NL), Vangby (DK) and Avodesch (NL).
Stepwise transformation of the company into a modern European distribution Group with focus on rebalancing the business portfolio to reduce the dependence on non-core products and build a Nordic fortress. In 2017, OptiGroup becomes the new name for the parent company to facilitate the transformation journey. Papyrus continues to be an important brand to the graphical industry.
During the period, the Group acquires VeliMark Oy (FI) and Inapa (CH), Procurator (SE), Palvelut (FI), Stadsing (DK), Pac (SE), Proxima (RO), Mercamer (FI), Telpak (FI), Moonen Packaging (NL), Ekopack (SE), Walki Medical (FI), Skovly-Gruppen (NO), Servicio (NO), Kapkem (FI) and Packteam Europe (SE).
In 2016, the sale of the French paper distribution business was completed and in 2019 the German paper distribution business was divested.
OptiGroup holds a leading position in the Nordic region in the distribution of cleaning & hygiene, personal protection, catering and foodservice.
Strong focus on cash flow and at the end of 2015 the majority of the Group’s debt is paid-off despite investments in new business segments.
During the period, Papyrus acquires Arto Emballasje (NO), Siisti-Piste Oy (FI), INPA (SE), Städshopen (SE) and OSPAP (CZ).
Altor and Triton acquires Papyrus from Stora Enso.
Papyrus acquires Carl Emil (NO), Paperi-Dahlberg (FI), Scaldia Papier (NL), Papeteries de France (FR), Schneidersöhne (DE) and becomes Europe’s second largest paper wholesaler.
STORA and Enso announce their merge. Papyrus becomes the brand for the wholesale business and all Stora Enso merchants change their names to Papyrus.
STORA acquires 100% of the shares in Papyrus paper mill where the company has previously been a partner and thus becomes the sole owner.
Marcus Wallenberg begins to expand operations at a mill in Gothenburg, Sweden he has acquired and makes the mill famous under the name Papyrus.