Bruno Steinhoff starts own business distributing furniture from eastern Europe to western Europe.
With the fall of communist rule in eastern Europe, the group converts from a marketing and distribution company to producer and distributor of furniture.
Steinhoff International Holdings Limited incorporated and listed on JSE on 23 September 1998.
Steinhoff Germany, Steinhoff Europe and Steinhoff Africa consolidated under Steinhoff International.
Vertical integration strategy begins to unfold when, in Africa, Steinhoff acquires interests in Megacor, Roadway Transport, Roadfurn, Unity Longhauls and in Braecroft Sawmill Group.
Acquires strategic interest in listed transport and logistics group, Unitrans Limited.
Through Roadway Logistics, forms joint-venture with Unitrans to group all logistics interests for household goods.
Acquires Klose Collection in Germany, including three modern high-tech factories in Poland.
Acquires Klose Hungary, a specialist chair factory.
Exercises option to acquire four Polish upholstery factories.
Acquires Prudnik upholstery factory from Polish government in one of the last privatisation deals with Roadway Logistics, Comparex Africa and retail industry players
Group attains critical mass in UK with acquisition of Relyon Group plc, manufacturer of a premier bedding brand.
Expands Australian presence by acquiring Marshall Furniture, largest case goods manufacturer in the country.
Steinhoff Pacific formed by acquiring the manufacturing facilities of Freedom Group in Australia and New Zealand and enters a strategic alliance relationship.
Group secures raw material supplies by acquiring Thesens and Woodline Timber Industries in southern Africa.
Steincraft chair factory opens in South Africa to export garden furniture worldwide
Steinhoff celebrates fifth anniversary as a listed company on the JSE with market capitalisation up from R2,6 billion to R6 billion. Compound growth in headline earnings is 45,6%, while headline earnings per share has grown by a compound 33,4%.
Steinhoff Europe expands range by acquiring interest in Puris Bad GmbH.
Attains critical mass in UK bedding market by acquiring Sprung Slumber.
International equity placement raises €123 million (R970 million). South African division successfully issues and lists R1 billion bond in local market.
Steinhoff assists management buyout of Australia-listed Freedom Group Ltd, Freedom delisted. Steinhoff acquires entire interest in the manufacturing, sourcing and distribution business.
Launches first syndicated loan in European market for €125 million and commits to €175 million.
Steinhoff Europe acquires 60,8% holding in Homestyle Group plc. Homestyle operates through a bed division (436 stores under Bensons for Beds, Sleepmasters and Bedshed trade names), and furniture division trading through 177 stores under the Harveys trade name. Homestyle is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Steinhoff acquires 26% of Amalgamated Appliances Holdings Limited, a well-known South African distributor of consumer electronic equipment and electrical appliances. Major appliance brands include: Russell Hobbs, Remington, Salton, Tedelex, Pineware and Haz. Consumer electronics brands include: Pioneer, Toshiba, Sansui, Tedelex and Tannoy. Substantial synergies exist in warehousing, logistics and distribution.
Acquires a 21% stake in KAP International Holdings Limited, a diversified industrial company that includes Feltex Automotive, a leading automotive component manufacturer with strategic facilities.
Assumes management interest in Steinhoff Asia (previously Freedom Group) with 230 retail outlets under Freedom, Levene, BaySwiss, Leather Republic and Capt'n Snooze.
Makes offer to minority shareholders of Homestyle Group plc.
Steinhoff Africa disposes of entire door division to Swartland Doors.
The group successfully issues its first convertible bond, raising R1,5 billion, redeemable in 2013.
Steinhoff acquires remaining shares in Homestyle Group, which is delisted.
Steinhoff Africa acquires BCM Group, producer of bedding components and springs.
Steinhoff Africa buys out minority interests in Unitrans.
Steinhoff Africa disposes of its furniture manufacturing interests in Southern Africa to a private equity consortium led by Absa Capital and Bravo group management, including BEE.
Steinhoff Africa bought 51 properties previously leased by the group.
Steinhoff marks first decade since listing with market capitalisation up from R2,6 billion to R22,2 billion in ten years, revenue from R2,8 billion to R45 billion and net asset value per share from R2,16 to R16,37.
Expanding retail interests in continental Europe lead to the consolidation of the group's retail participation interests within European Retail Management SA, to complete our vertical integration strategy in all major markets in the region.
Largest greenfields development (North Eastern Cape Forest, particle board and medium-density fibre board plant) completed and Woodchemicals SA acquired.
Steinhoff successfully issues its second convertible bond to raise R1,6 billion before expenses, redeemable in 2015.
Steinhoff Europe merges its property holdings in Germany, Poland and Hungary into a Dutch property holding company structure and exchanges this for a 45% interest in Hemisphere International Properties BV. Enters a long-term head lease agreement with Hemisphere, and will receive management and administration fees.
Founder Bruno Steinhoff retires, but becomes non-executive director.
