Cognia Group enters into an agreement to acquire Handicare AS
The Cognia Group expands its business by entering into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Handicare AS. Completion of the acquisition is approved by the Norwegian Competition Authority.
Established in 1992, Handicare is a leading supplier of vehicles to people with disabilities and special adaptation of emergency vehicles for police, fire, rescue, and ambulance services. Handicare has officially approved car repair shops and sales offices all over the country, from Kristiansand in the south to Tromsø in the north, to ensure local service and follow-up.
We warmly welcome the employees of Handicare in the Cognia Group. Handicare, with its long history and competent organization, has managed to establish a leading position in the field of special vehicles. It is easy to understand why Handicare has succeeded when you see the passion each employee has for the function each vehicle should constitute in our society," says Grant Larsen, CEO of Cognia.
With the acquisition of Handicare, the Cognia Group has strengthened its position in healthcare, as well as the development of special vehicles for the emergency sector. These are exciting growth areas for the Group and support the Group's sustainability strategy. Together with the other businesses in the Cognia Group, Handicare will strengthen its offering to its customers and retain its strategy of brand independence. Through Handicare acquired, Cognia will also gain a national presence. Arild Saastad will continue as CEO of Handicare.
“We are very pleased that Cognia wants to invest further in the growth and development of Handicare to further strengthen our customer offering. Cognia has a long tradition in passenger cars and commercial vehicles, and this complements Handicare's business very well. We find that Cognia's culture and focus on the development and well-being of its employees fit well with Handicare's organization," says Arild Saastad.
About Cognia
Cognia is a leading automotive group in Norway. The Group has a total turnover of approximately NOK 3.2 billion and has 600 employees in 20 locations in Vestfold and Telemark, Viken, and Hedmark. The Group has a long history in the automotive industry, with the establishment of Bil- Service Passenger Cars in 1937, BilSpiten in 1959, and Volmax in 1997. In addition to businesses within passenger cars and commercial vehicles, the Group has a significant property portfolio combined with Cognia Eiendom. The Group also develops leading technology solutions for the transport industry through the company Cognia Technology. For more information see www.cognia.no
About Handicare
Handicare was established in 1992 and offers conversion of cars for people with disabilities, complete and flexible van racking for most professions, and special adaptation of emergency vehicles for police, fire, rescue, and ambulance services. Complete interior design solutions and body conversions are carried out on most vehicle types. The company has 12 locations and officially approved car repair shops and sales offices across the country, from Kristiansand in the south to Tromsø in the north. For more information see www.handicare.no
HANDICARE AS Vålerveien 159, 1599 Moss, Norway, Org. nr. 965 395 830
+47 69 24 44 00 | [email protected] | www.handicare.no
For further questions please contact:
Grant Larsen, CEO Cognia +47 951 13 800
Arild Saastad, CEO Handicare +47 482 01 460