Norstat ASA has today, September 17. 2007, signed an agreement with the Estonian company Unitree Group, regarding the creation
of a joint venture company as a basis for establishing Norstat in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. These companies will be started
from October 1. 2007, and during the first quarter of 2008.
Norstat enters the Baltics because we believe that these markets will develop strongly in the coming years. Since 2003, the
total turn over of market research is more than doubled, and this trend is expected to continue. Furthermore, the increased
demand for Baltic presence from existing Norstat-customers will ensure a good start for the Baltic Norstat-companies.
The agreement with Unitree Group gives Norstat access to local competence and presence. Unitree has the last three years built
up the company Dive, the leading supplier of Mystery Shopping in the region. This experience, combined with Norstat`s long
experience in building of call centres and online based respondent panels, will ensure a successful establishment.
John L. Pedersen, CEO
Norstat ASA
Tlf.: +47 21 300 306/+47 917 333 59
Managing director of Norstat ASA, John Lauring Pedersen, comments the agreement: “We see the Baltics as a very region in the
coming years, with a great potential. Norstat will build respondent panels in all three countries, as this seems to be something
missing in the local markets today, but which we strongly believe to be the future in market research. We also consider the
Baltics to be a nice brigdehead in our planned expansion
further east and south in Europe.”
Managing director of Unitree, Kaspar Jänes, is also very optimistic towards the agreement: “To us it is very exciting to be
able to drag Norstats successful business model into the Baltic market, and we believe the timing will be optimal. Norstat
represents to us a perfect cooperation partner, with a strong international network of customers and streamlined production
system”.
