Relais Group Plc, Stock Exchange Release 19 January 2026 at 09:00 a.m. EET
Christian Johansson Gebauer, whose appointment as the new Chief Executive
Officer of Relais Group Plc (“Relais”) was announced on 21 October 2025, assumes
his position today. At the same time, the former CEO of Relais, Arni Ekholm,
will step down from the Group Management Team and continue as Senior Advisor
reporting to the Board of Directors of Relais up until his retirement on 31
March 2026.
Shareholders currently representing more than 50% of the company's shares and
votes have informed the company that they will propose to the Annual General
Meeting of 2026 that Arni Ekholm be nominated as member of the company's Board
of Directors.
Relais Group is a leading compounder and acquisition platform on the commercial
vehicle aftermarket in Northern Europe.
Statement by the Chair of the Board, Jesper Otterbeck:
“Using a combination of organic and M&A-driven growth, Relais managed to double
its EBITA from its listing in 2019 until the end of 2024. Even in this high
-growth context, 2025 was an exceptional year during which we completed several
acquisitions that we had been pursuing for some time. We enter 2026 with good
momentum and general recognition as the most dynamic player in the Nordic
independent aftermarket for heavy vehicles, and already in January 2026 we have
closed one additional deal. In this context I want to thank Arni very much for
all his work and his leadership in taking Relais where we are now.
Today, I am very happy to welcome Christian Gebauer on board as CEO. I am
confident that Christian has the skillset, leadership and drive to take Relais
to the next level, and I am looking forward to working together with him to
continue the profit growth of Relais.“
Statement by the CEO, Christian Johansson Gebauer:
“I am excited to step into the role as CEO of Relais Group at a time when the
company has good momentum and a proven strategy. Relais has built a unique
platform in the Nordic heavy vehicle aftermarket, combining disciplined capital
allocation with a decentralized and entrepreneurial operating model.
Together with the management team and our local leaders, my focus will be on
continuing to scale the group profitably, strengthening operational excellence
and remaining the preferred long-term home for high quality aftermarket
businesses. I look forward to building on the strong foundation Arni and the
team have created.”
Statement by the former CEO, Arni Ekholm:
“After ten years at the helm of Relais, I am now pleased to hand over to
Christian this great company that is poised for further profitable growth.
Together with the team we have reached a variety of very ambitious goals and
successfully established Relais as a leading serial acquirer within our line of
business in Northern Europe. In this context I want to warmly thank all our
customers, team members, shareholders, advisors and our board members for your
continued support during my time as the CEO of Relais. I am looking forward to
the opportunity of joining Relais Group's Board in the spring of 2026 and to
continue supporting the future growth of our company. I wish Christian the best
of success in his new role as CEO of the company."
Further information:
Jesper Otterbeck, Chair of the Board
Email: jesper.otterbeck@reservdelar.se
Phone number: +46 70 577 6477
Relais Group:
Relais Group is a leading compounder and acquisition platform on the commercial
vehicle aftermarket in Northern Europe. We have a sector focus in vehicle life
cycle enhancement and related services. We also serve as a growth platform for
the companies we own.
We are a profitable company seeking strong growth. We carry out targeted
acquisitions in line with our growth strategy and want to be an active player in
the consolidation of the aftermarket in our area of operation. Our acquisitions
are targeted at companies having a good strategic fit with our group companies.
Our net sales in 2024 were EUR 322.6 (2023: 284.3) million. In 2025 we made
seven acquisitions. We employ approximately 1,700 professionals in eight
different countries. The Relais Group share is listed on the Main Market of
Nasdaq Helsinki with the stock symbol RELAIS.
www.relais.fi