Johnson Services is acquisition target

Johnson Service Group Plc, the UK support services group, is being eyed as an acquisition target by Danish investor Investeringsselskabet. Sources report that Investeringsselskabet is considering partnering with Nordic private equity firm Industri Kapital to make a bid for Johnson.

Johnson is currently listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange but is in the process of transferring to AIM. Its share price has plummeted since mid-2007 from a high of 350p per share last June to around 30p today. It posted revenues of £406m in 2007, down from £411m in 2006.

Investeringsselskabet revealed it had built a 3% stake in the business on Thursday. Industri Kapital owns Nordic workwear provider Kwintet.

Johnson Service Group provides a range of corporate and retail support services including textile and hospitality services, facilities management and sourcing, and drycleaning. Earlier this year, it disposed of its corporate workwear unit, selling it to Gresham Private Equity in an £82.5m deal