Govt mulls stock-market listing of Altia

The government is considering the possibility of listing the state owned Altia Plc on the Helsinki Stock Exchange, broadening its domestic ownership base and reducing state ownership in the company, said an official press release.

Altia has been operating in an internationally competitive environment for years. In order to ensure that the company can also meet the challenges of toughening competition in the future and continue to grow profitably in Finland and internationally, the State of Finland, as a responsible owner, is seeking ways of safeguarding the company's future.

The factory at Koskenkorva is and will remain an integral part of the company's business.

The company also has an extensive network of contract farmers and a large number of other Finnish partners.

If the company is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange, the State of Finland would still retain at least one third of the company’s shares.

The government also feels it is important for the personnel, private investors, contract farmers and Altia’s other partners in Finland to acquire interests in the company.

“The state owner must offer its companies natural development paths so that it can support their growth. The plans to reduce state ownership in Altia have been approved by Finnish Parliament. It is important for the company to have a broad domestic ownership base,” explained Mika Lintilä, Minister of Economic Affairs, who is responsible for ownership steering.

The report on the stock-market listing of Altia will be ready during the first half of 2018.

The report will be produced by the Ownership Steering Department of the Prime Minister’s Office, which is also responsible for the ownership steering of Altia Plc.

Altia is a Nordic brand house operating in seven countries, producing and importing strong alcoholic beverages and wines. Altia also exports its products to about 30 countries. The company's operations are founded on high-quality raw materials produced by Finnish farmers and domestic production.