The joint venture is being created with the merger of Bonnier subsidiary Bonnier Business Information with Infodata. The Swedish-based Infodata owns the EuroContactPool database of European business information on executives and companies.
Ratos will own 80% and Bonnier 20% of the joint venture, which is expected to have a turnover of 拢241m and profits of just under 拢25m for 2005. BBI's staff of 1,900 will join with Infodata's staff of 400.
BBI has grown by making acquisitions throughout Europe, including D&B's Nordic and Central European operations in 2003 and 2004.
In the UK, Prospect Swetenhams was formed in October 2003 by the merger of BBI's The Prospect Shop with Swetenhams. BBI went on to buy UK B2B list owner Market Monitor in 2004.
Hugh Bessant, managing director of Prospect Swetenhams and Market Monitor, said: "As key companies within the new group, this is exciting news for Prospect Swetenhams and Market Monitor and supports our strategic objectives within the UK."
BBI's managing director Lars Save has been named chief executive of the joint venture.
Save said: "This is an ideal industrial deal. Due to the technological development during the last 10 years, the economies of scale in our business have become very tangible.
"By coordinating the operations of BBI and Infodata, we will achieve cost advantages as well as opportunities for a considerably broader customer base."
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