CWS sharpens profile in Sweden by acquisition of Clean Step

Duisburg/Stockholm, 14 October 2020. CWS Group, a complete service provider in the solution areas Hygiene, Workwear and Fire Safety, announced the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Clean Step AB. The supplier of dust control mats and related services is located in Gothenburg and Stockholm, but is active throughout Sweden. This acquisition strengthens the presence of CWS in the Swedish hygiene market and sharpens its profile as an efficient and sustainable company.

As a full-service provider, CWS contributes to a healthier and safer future with innovative, sustainable and digital rental solutions. The company combines expertise in commercial services and comprises a total of six service areas: Hygiene, Fire Safety, Workwear, Healthcare, Mats and Cleanrooms. In order to strengthen its market position in the country, CWS takes over Clean Step AB. The Swedish company is specialised in sales, cleaning and transport of dust control mats of all types and sizes. It does not maintain its own laundries, but depots in Gothenburg and Stockholm. The laundry has always been in the hands of subcontractors. All employees, including the management will be taken over by CWS.

A perfect match

CWS entered the Workwear and dust control mats market in Sweden in 2003. In 2019 CWS generated a turnover of 12.5 million Euro and an EBIT 1.1 million Euro (8.8%) in the Swedish hygiene market. With a significant potential to increase its market share in the sectors workwear and dust control mats, the outlook for CWS Sweden remains positive. The advantages of purchasing Clean Step are clear. CWS wants to ensure better health and safety for customers and their employees or customers. As Clean Step is also committed to better health and safety for their customers, it is the perfect match for CWS in Sweden. With their cooperation, CWS and Clean Step want to contribute to more health and safety in society - also with regard to sustainability. Moreover, both companies will realise synergies by insource washing and more efficient logistics due to the increased density of customers. They will improve their presence in the Gothenburg and Stockholm areas.

“The acquisition of Clean Step will not only have a direct positive impact on our economic position in this country”, says Pontus Jason, Country Manager of CWS Hygiene Sweden. “CWS wants to contribute to a healthier, safer tomorrow. That is why Clean Step AB is a perfect match for us. Together we will shape our market profile significantly and show that we are a viable and competitive player in Sweden.”

About CWS

With innovative, sustainable and digital rental solutions, CWS contributes to a healthier and safer tomorrow. The CWS range is divided into products and services in the areas of Hygiene, Floor Care, Workwear, Fire Safety, Cleanrooms and Healthcare. Since April 2019, all service areas of the company have been operating as an integrated system provider under the name of CWS.

CWS is a brand of CWS International GmbH and its subsidiaries. The group currently employs around 10,600 people in 16 countries. In 2019, the company generated a turnover of €1,188 million. CWS International GmbH and its subsidiaries are wholly owned by Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH.

More information can be found at cws.com

About Clean Step AB

With long experience and personal service is Clean Step AB a company that believes that renting mats should be simple but still hold for high demands from the customers. Clean Step AB is based in Gothenburg but are active throughout the country by sales offices or by a wide range of partners.

More Information can be found at cleanstep.se