Acquisitions and divestments
Rapala VMC Corporation’s strategic objective is profitable growth. The Rapala Group’s profitable growth strategy has been implemented through various acquisitions of manufacturing and distribution companies as well as establishment of new units. Acquisitions have played a major role in expanding the manufacturing base, brand and product portfolio and scope of the distribution company network.
See below the history of major corporate and brand acquisitions, established companies and divestments since stock exchange listing.
| Year | Company | Information |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | DQC International, Corp. | Acquired remaining 51 % share |
| 2021 | Rapala Shimano East Europe | Acquisition of non-controlling interest from Shimano regarding joint ownership in East European distribution companies |
| 2019 | VMC-WaterQueen Ukraine | Divestment of Ukrainian subsidiary |
| 2019 | Normark Deutschland Gmbh | Established distribution company in Germany |
| 2019 | DQC International Corp | Acquired 49% share of US based company, owner of 13 Fishing rod and reel brand |
| 2018 | Ltd. Normark-Bel | Established distribution company in Belarus |
| 2017 | Normark LLC | Established distribution company in Russia |
| 2017 | Normark Italy srl | Established distribution company in Italy |
| 2017 | Normark Adriatik D.o.o. | Established distribution company in Croatia |
| 2016 | Rapala Mena FZE | Established distribution company in United Arab Emirates |
| 2014 | Mystic s.a.r.l. | Acquired French fishing attractant manufacturer |
| 2013 | Rapala VMC Singapore Pte. Ltd. | Established administration company in Singapore |
| 2012 | Normark Chile Ltd | Established distribution company in Chile |
| 2012 | Strike Master Corporation | Acquired the business of US based supplier of ice augers |
| 2012 | Mora Ice | Acquired ice augers and auger cutting blades brand and all related intellectual property rights |
| 2011 | PT Rapala Indonesia | Established distribution company in Indonesia |
| 2011 | PT Rapala VMC Batam | Established lure factory in Indonesia |
| 2011 | PT VMC Fishing Tackle Indonesia | Established hook factory in Indonesia |
| 2011 | Normark Kazakhstan LLP | Established distribution alliance company in Kazakhstan with Shimano |
| 2011 | Rapala VMC Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. | Established distribution company in Mexico |
| 2011 | Shimano UK Ltd | Acquired 50% share of UK based distribution company, forming a 50/50 joint venture company with Shimano |
| 2011 | Advance Carp Equipment Ltd | Acquired UK based company engaged in design and sales of equipment and accessories for carp fishing |
| 2011 | Willtech Gift Ltd | Disposal of a unit engaged in manufacturing of gift items in China |
| 2010 | Rapala VMC Iceland ehf | Established distribution company in Iceland |
| 2010 | FLLC Normark | Established distribution company in Belarus |
| 2010 | Kentec Gift (Shenzhen) Ltd. | Established gift distribution company in China |
| 2010 | Dynamite Baits Ltd | Acquired UK based manufacturer of boilies, groundbaits, liquid attractants, pellets and bagged particle baits for sports fishing |
| 2009 | Normark Sport Romania S.r.l. | Established distribution company in Romania |
| 2009 | Ultrabite | Acquired brand and exclusive agreement with Kiotech and CEFAS to commercialized Ultrabite pheromone technology to the sports fishing industry and market worldwide |
| 2008 | Rapala Finance N.V. | Established administration company in Belgium |
| 2008 | Sufix | Acquired fishing line trademark and exclusive supply agreement with Yao I Co Ltd for the supply of fishing lines |
| 2008 | Rapire Teo | Closing of lure factory in Ireland |
| 2007 | Rapala VMC Korea Co., Ltd. | Established distribution company in Korea |
| 2007 | Terminator | Acquired the business of US based manufacturer and distributor of Terminator branded spinner baits and other fishing lures |
| 2007 | Distribution alliance with Shimano in East Europe | Rapala and Shimano established a 50/50 joint venture company controlled by Rapala that acquired Rapala distribution companies in Russia, Ukraine and Czech |
| 2007 | Distribution alliance with Shimano in Hungary | Shimano subscribed a 33.4% shareholding in Rapala Hungary Ltd |
| 2006 | OOO Raptech | Established lure factory in Russia |
| 2006 | Tortue | Acquired the business of French fishing line supplier |
| 2005 | Rapala VMC China Co., Ltd. | Established distribution company in China |
| 2005 | Rapala VMC (Thailand) Co., Ltd. | Established distribution company in Thailand |
| 2005 | Tatlow and Pledger Pty Ltd | Acquired fishing tackle distributor in South Africa |
| 2005 | Peltonen Ski Oy | Acquired Finnish ski manufacturer |
| 2005 | Marttiini Oy | Acquired Finnish knife manufacturer |
| 2005 | Luhr Jensen | Acquired the business of US based manufacturer of fishing lures and accessories |
| 2005 | Eurohold | Acquired Hungarian fishing tackle distribution and retail business |
| 2005 | Freetime Pty Ltd | Acquired Australian fishing tackle distributor |
| 2005 | FunFish | Acquired Swiss reseller and retailer of fishing tackle products |
| 2004 | Normark S.r.o. | Established distribution company in Czech Republic |
| 2004 | SIA Normark Latvia | Established distribution company in Latvia |
| 2004 | Rapala Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. | Established distribution company in Malaysia |
| 2004 | Williamson | Acquired lure brand and business in South Africa |
| 2004 | Guigo Marine | Acquired big game fishing business in France |
| 2003 | UAB Normark | Established distribution company in Lithuania |
| 2003 | Esambles Deportivos S.A. | Closing of Mexican packaging facility. Operations were relocated (redirected) to China and Estonia |
| 2002 | Fishco AG | Acquired Swiss fishing tackle distributor |
| 2001 | Willtech | Acquired Chinese lure manufacturing unit |
| 2000 | Normark Eesti Oü Established distribution company in Estonia | Established distribution company in Estonia |
| 2000 | VMC | Acquired French hook factory and hook distribution |
| 1999 | Rapala Japan K.K. | Established distribution company in Japan |
| 1999 | Storm | Acquired the business of US based lure brand |
| 1999 | Elbe Normark AS | Acquired Norwegian fishing tackle distributor |