Conference turris::scandia

198.0. "Swedish Match takes Wilkinson Sword" by TLE::SAVAGE (Neil, @Spit Brook) Tue Mar 31 1987 10:29

                                      
    Agence France Presse
    
    STOCKHOLM, March 31 (AFP) - Effective immediately, the Swedish group
    Swedish Match, the world's biggest match-maker, is taking over
    Wilkinson Sword of London from the Allegheny International group. 

    A Swedish Match communique announced Monday that the takeover cost some
    230 million dollars. Wilkinson Sword is the second biggest match
    producer in the world, with 7.5% of the market. Half of its turnover is
    derived from matches. Wilkinson, which is also a major producer of
    razors, blades and throw-away lighters, employs 3,000 people in 15
    countries. 

    Although the takeover is effective immediately, Swedish Match said that
    in some countries where there were subsidiaries, it would require the
    endorsement of the government concerned. 

    Swedish Match chalked up a net profit in 1986 of 500 million Swedish
    crowns (about 80 million dollars).