The EQT Opportunity Fund (“EQT”) acquires M/T Owner (“Melka Tenson”) from Jacques Vert Plc, and Five Seasons from Five Seasons Inköps AB. The majority owner of Five Seasons, Gunnar Johansson, will together with management become co-owner and maintains a significant role in the new group.

Melka Tenson, with total sales of £24 million during the year ended 29 April 2006, sells sportswear under the Tenson brand and menswear under the Melka brand. Both brands have been established for over 50 years and enjoy high recognition in several European core markets. Five Seasons, with sales of approximately SEK 150 million in 2006, is a successful and well run sportswear company founded 25 years ago. Its products are worn by skiers, snowboarders and golfers in 25 countries.

Melka Tenson is in a turn around phase, while Five Seasons is in the midst of profitable international expansion. Through the acquisitions EQT is creating a platform of strong brands with potential for continued international expansion and profitable growth.

“The companies are complementary and going forward there will be benefits in keeping them together in the same brand portfolio. We will provide each brand and company with the support necessary to realize its full potential” said Paul Schrotti, Partner at EQT Partners.

“We are very pleased to have found a partner with the financial strength and industrial depth of EQT. We are convinced that we together with EQT will continue the growth of Five Seasons and complete the turn around of Melka Tenson“, said Gunnar Johansson.

The EQT Opportunity Fund was launched at the beginning of 2006 and makes impact investments in medium sized companies which have a sound underlying business and a clear value creation potential, but which also face problems requiring special expertise to resolve. The Fund is active in the Nordic countries and the German speaking countries of Northern Europe.

Both acquisitions are subject to approval from the relevant competition authorities.

Contacts:
Paul Schrotti, Partner, EQT Partners,
+46 8 550 553 40

Johan Hähnel, Communications & PR,
+46 706 056 334, johan.hahnel@eqt.se