Building and technical trade strategy

The building and technical trade division operates in 8 countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway,Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. In the Baltics and Belarus, building and home improvement trade operations are handled by the joint venture Kesko Senukai. The division has some 460 stores and offers extensive online services via its chains: Onninen serves technical trade customers, while K-Rauta, Byggmakker and K-Bygg and Davidsen serve professional builders and consumers.

In the core of the strategy is strong growth and profitability, cash flow generation, profitable growth through targeted acquisitions and winning market share in all markets. We continue executing the country-specific business strategies. The division serves technical professionals, professional builders and consumers and the aim is to offer the best customer experience and digital services.

Kesko announced in June 2026 that it has agreed to acquire the technical trade operator Dahl’s companies in Sweden, Norway and Denmark from the French listed company Saint-Gobain. The combined net sales of the businesses to be acquired totalled nearly €2.1 billion in 2025. The largest acquisition in Kesko’s history would expand Kesko’s reach in the HPAC and infrastructure construction businesses in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The debt-free transaction price is €1,200 million, or €1,518 million including lease commitments. The completion of the acquisition is subject to approval by competition authorities. Read more in the stock exchange release 15.6.2026.

Strategic objectives

• Strong growth and ebit improvement 
• Winning market share in all markets
• Delivering customer value
• Targeted aqcuisitions 
• Engaging personnel to drive customer value
• Enhancing AI and technology capabilities

Competitive advantages

• Country-specific strategies delivering results
• Availability and delivery accuracy accorging to customer demand
• The best customer experience and proactive sales management
• Digital services to improve customer experience and efficiency
• Enabling sustainable choices for customers

Business environment

Economic cycle

• Interest rates and the ability to invest
• Market situation creates opportunities for industry consolidation

Green transition

• Growing need for energy boosting demand for energy solutions
• Increased investments in energy infrastructure
• Fast development of technolgies related to green transition

Renovation 

• High underlying demand for renovation and technical infrastructure investments
• Need for renovation growing steadily

Urbanisation

• Urbanisation driving the need for construction
• Growing need for infrastructure investments in e.g. electric grid and water and sewage networks

Digitalisation and technologisation

• Increasing use of smart technical solutions in building and construction
• Technological transformation
• Digitalisation and AI improving efficiency and customer service

Figures for 1-12/2025

Read more about the country specific achievements and strategy in Kesko's Annual Report.