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 CreaPak (FI), TechnoTape (NL), Paardekooper (NL, IE, CN), The LCA Center (NL) and Textiel Services Nederland (NL).
OptiGroup acquires Top Service (DE), Ubro SystemPac (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 distribution Group Hygos, and creates a leading European Group in the business-to-business distribution industry. In connection with the transaction, the Hygos Group 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).
During the period, the Group acquires 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).
OptiGroup holds a leading position in the Nordic region in the distribution of cleaning & hygiene, personal protection, catering and foodservice.
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.
OptiGroup acquires Procurator (SE), Palvelut (FI), Stadsing (DK) and Pac Production (SE).
Stepwise transformation of the company into a modern European distribution Group of business consumables with focus on rebalancing the business portfolio to reduce the dependence on non-core products.
In 2016, the sale of the French paper distribution business was completed and OptiGroup acquires VeliMark Oy (FI) and Inapa (CH).
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 paper 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.