Meet Ralf Thomsen
Momentum Group recognised our potential – and our value
Ralf Thomsen, former owner of Danish Regal, shares his journey from building his company to becoming part of Momentum Group. His story gives an insight into the decision behind the sale and the experiences of becoming part of a larger group. Regal is part of Momentum Group since June 2023.
Regal was founded in 1980 in Roskilde and has since its inception been a specialist in transmission, electrical automation and regulation. When Ralf Thomsen acquired the company in 2013, he knew he had taken a step in the right direction. “Ever since I graduated as an electrician in 1980, I have always been involved in this industry. It is my passion and I am proud to have contributed to its development. When I got the chance to buy Regal, I didn’t hesitate for a moment,” says Ralf. “After building the Nordic business for an international company, I felt it was time for something new. Constant travel and a top-down organization made the choice easy.”
During Ralf’s time at Regal, the company has continued to develop with the same focus as the founder’s. The focus has been on optimising operations and improving profitability, while the product portfolio has been constantly developed. Today, Regal is a well-established company with strong customer relationships and long-term partnerships with leading suppliers in Danish industry.
However, the decision to sell Regal was not a quick decision. When his daughters chose not to take over the company, Ralf realised it was time to start thinking about succession. Previous investors had not felt right, but when Anders Öberg from Momentum Group contacted him for the second time, Ralf listened carefully.
”It was important for me to find an owner who shared our vision and values – and who wouldn’t make Regal disappear in a big integration,” Ralf explains. The choice fell on Momentum Group, thanks to their decentralised business model where each company is important. “From our first meetings, I felt that they understood our business and were thinking in the same way as we did,” he adds.
Ralf describes the acquisition process as both professional and agile. “They made a well-grounded offer, and there was never any hesitation. We agreed, and while due diligence was thorough, the process was efficient and transparent. Momentum Group showed a deep understanding of our company’s potential, which I really appreciated.” A smooth transition for both employees and cus-tomers was also a crucial factor for Ralf.
Becoming part of Momentum Group has opened up new opportunities for Regal. “Being part of a larger group gives access to resources, knowledge and networks that have been invaluable,” Ralf reflects. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining Regal’s unique identity, while taking ad-vantage of the benefits that Momentum Group offers.
Ralf’s experience highlights the importance of finding the right owner with the right values and en-suring a successful succession that benefits the company’s continued growth and development. “Succession is the key to long-term success. It’s about finding the right people who can carry on the legacy on the day I hand over,” he concludes.
About Regal
Regal was founded in Roskilde in 1980 and is a leading niche player in transmission, electrical automation and control to both OEM and end customers in the food, toy and pharmaceutical industries in Denmark. The company has established collaborations with suppliers such as KEB Automation, Ruhrgetriebe, Panasonic, Swedrive, Sumitomo and Hitachi and offers, among other things, electric motors, gears, variable speed drives, PLC and sensors. The business is located in Roskilde, Denmark with sales, gear assembly and warehouse.