Per Vidar Ruud

About Optimera Optimera is wholly owned by the French company Saint-Gobain and is part of Saint-Gobain Distribution Nordic. Saint-Gobain was established in 1665, and is one of Europe’s largest industrial groups with more than 220,000 employees in 54 countries. The activities mostly consist of building materials production and distribution, production of glass products and special products. In 2007, the group had a turnover of € 39 billion. Saint-Gobain’s Building Distribution Sector is Europe’s largest distributor of building materials. This business area was established in 1996 and has grown to become the largest in the group. In 2007 it had a turnover of € 19.5 billion (approximately equivalent to NOK 180 billion) distributed across more than 4,000 builders merchants/outlets in a total of 25 countries. It has 72,000 employees. Saint-Gobain Distribution Nordic (SGBD Nordic) The Saint-Gobain group has established a solid position in the Nordic market in a short period of time, with a turnover of approximately € 3,5 billion. Saint-Gobain first established itself in the Nordic region in 2004 through the acquisition of Dahl, followed by the building materials supplier Optimera in 2005. The company now has representation in seven countries in the Nordic region, including Poland, and has a total of 8,800 employees. Optimera hold a significant market position in the Nordic and Baltic countries regarding sales of building materials and timber – in addition to wholesale activities and sales to the industry. Optimera has 160 outlets and more than 3000 employees. The turnover in 2008 is expected to reach NOK 10 billion.