Website: www.oscarjacobson.com
During Valedo’s almost 10 years’ long ownership, Oscar Jacobson was transformed to a modern, distinct and award-winning brand within the menswear affordable luxury segment. Oscar Jacobson’s brand, collections and distribution network were successfully revitalized, today appealing to a customer group spanning over three generations. In addition, a number of growth initiatives have been successfully executed during the ownership period, including the establishment on the Norwegian market, a widening of the product collection with increased focus on outerwear and knitwear, as well as the establishment of a fast growing own online store.
Oscar Jacobson is a leading Nordic menswear brand, founded 1903 in Borås, Sweden, characterized by a long history of deep textile knowledge and an uncompromised focus on quality. The Company’s foundation lies in men’s formalwear and has since the beginning of the previous century been one of the leading providers of suits and blazers in the Nordics. During 2008 Valedo, together with the Company’s management, invested in Oscar Jacobson with an ambition to revitalize the, at the time, slightly stagnated brand as well as to accelerate the Company’s growth through a number of strategic initiatives.
In order to achieve the position as one the leading Nordic menswear brands, a number of initiatives have been implemented during Valedo’s ownership:
As Oscar Jacobson during 2017 had achieved the targets set out at the time of Valedo’s acquisition in 2008, an evaluation of a potential divestment was initiated. Therefore a sales process was began in the spring of 2018 and discussions where held with several parties expressing an interest in acquiring Oscar Jacobson. The result was that Oscar Jacobson, in June 2018, was divested to Mellby Gård, a family owned conglomerate investing in businesses with strong growth potential.
Mellby Gård AB (“Mellby Gård”) has acquired Oscar Jacobson from Valedo Partners Fund I AB (“Valedo”). Valedo invested in Oscar Jacobson in 2008 and has, together with the company’s management, transformed Oscar Jacobson into an award-winning modern affordable luxury menswear brand, targeting customers spanning three generations. Oscar Jacobson is a leading Nordic fashion brand with
David Thunmarker assumes the role as CEO of Oscar Jacobson in connection with current CEO Roger Tjernberg being appointed Executive Chairman of the Company. After eight years as CEO of Oscar Jacobson, Roger Tjernberg passes the CEO role to David Thunmarker who will assume the position after the summer of 2017. David joins from Tiger
Valedo has acquired Oscar Jacobson from the Bengtsson family. Oscar Jacobson is a leading Swedish menswear company with focus on contemporary classic men’s fashion and exclusive golf wear for men. The collections are sold in the whole of Europe with a majority of sales in Sweden and the United Kingdom. Oscar Jacobson is a leading
WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED
With Valedo as majority owner, Oscar Jacobson reclaimed the position as one of the Nordics’ leading affordable luxury menswear brands, characterized by timeless elegance and sophisticated cuts. The Company has during Valedo’s ownership period increased its brand strength significantly, especially among the younger customers who today constitute Oscar Jacobson’s largest customer group. The Company has also established a future proofed distribution network where nearly half of the sales take place in Oscar Jacobson’s own controlled channels. A number of own stores was opened in addition to the establishment of a fast growing own e-commerce presence. The Company’s product collections was strengthened by leveraging the deep textile knowledge within the Company, successfully expanding into new product categories such as outerwear and knitwear. During 2016, Oscar Jacobson was awarded Suit Brand of the Year by the magazine Café as well as Designer of the Year (Mats Pettersson) by the magazine Habit.