In Denmark, Egmont’s publishing house Aschehoug takes over Bonnier’s publishing houses (Bonnier Forlagene). In Norway, Egmont’s publishing house Damm and Bonnier’s publishing house Cappelen join forces to become the largest Norwegian publishing house.
In Denmark, Aschehoug strengthens its market position as Denmark’s second largest publishing house by acquiring Bonnier Forlagene. The name of the new company, owned 100% by Egmont, will be Lindhardt & Ringhof. Aschehoug’s Managing Director, Anette Wad, will head the company. Lindhardt & Ringhof carries on Aschehoug’s imprints Athene, Sesam and Alinea as well as Carlsen, Alfabeta, Akademisk and Børsens Forlag, all Bonnier imprints. The publishing house will consists of a number of book clubs, including 12 Bøger and Bogsamleren. Lindhardt & Ringhof will have 220 employees. In 2006, the publishing houses Aschehoug and Bonnier Forlagene published more than 1,000 titles in all genres and generated revenues of EUR 92 million (DKK 690 million).
In Norway, a new large publishing house is created with the merger between Egmont’s publishing house Damm and Bonnier’s publishing house Cappelen. The name of the new company will be Cappelen Damm with Damm’s present Managing Director, Tom Harald Jenssen, as Managing Director. The new publishing house will be owned by Egmont (50%) and Bonnier (50%). The company will be governed by a board including members from both owners. The book store chain Tanum, which Damm acquired in 2006, will also be part of the new joint venture. The merger Cappelen Damm will be the largest publishing house in the Norwegian book business with a wide range of specialties. The publishing house will have a leading position within most editorial areas. In 2006, the publishing houses in Damm and Cappelen published more than 1,200 titles in all genres and generated revenues of EUR 187.5 million (NOK 1,500 million).
Egmont’s CEO Steffen Kragh says:”Over the later years, our book people have strengthened our publishing houses in both Denmark and Norway. The overall goal has been to be successful book publishers and to strive long term for market leadership. With this transaction both the new Lindhardt & Ringhof and Cappelen Damm provide Egmont with a very strong platform.”
Read the press release regarding Aschehoug's acquisition of Bonnier Forlagene
Read the press release regarding the merger between Cappelen and Damm
Download photo of Aschehoug's Managing Director Anette Wad (700 KB)
