Investments made

Oy Panda Ab

MB Funds became the main shareholder in Panda in October 2000, after the Norwegian conglomerate, Rieber & Son, had decided to withdraw from operations in the confectionery sector. The operative management of the company joined the owners with a 15% share.

Panda’s main market was Finland. The major importing countries included the Nordic countries, the UK, the US and Poland. In Finland, Panda was the market leader in liquorice products and chocolate confectionery.

Under the ownership of MB Funds, Panda’s strategy was to be among the top 2 or 3 suppliers in selected product categories. The market position was improved, in particular in liquorice products, and the market share in Finland increased to around 50 percent. Market shares were also considerably increased in central export markets.

Panda's growth was clearly more significant than general growth within the market, and profitability was substantially increased.

In 2005, Panda’s turnover reached over €51 million.

MB Funds relinquished its ownership in Panda in June 2005, when Felix Abba, a part of the Norwegian conglomerate Orkla, acquired the company.