1996 – Nobia is formed by Industri Kapital through a buy-out from STORA. Unprofitable export operations are discontinued and a strategic focus on core business is initiated, along with business units' decentralised responsibility for profitability. Kitchen sales amount to about SEK 1.5 billion and include brands such as Danish HTH, Norwegian Sigdal and Swedish Marbodal.
1999 − The profitability trend continues and Nobia makes a strategic decision to focus on kitchens and expand outside the Nordic region. The kitchen industry in Europe is fragmented and Nobia sees opportunities for a company with the capacity to lead its consolidation.
2002 − Nobia is introduced on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Net sales increase to SEK 9.6 billion and employees number 5,900. Efforts continue to further concentrate core business operations, with additional non-core businesses divested.
2005 − The business is organised into three geographic regions: UK, Nordic and Continental European. Nobia acquires leading Austrian kitchen manufacturer EWE-FM.
2007 − Culinoma is formed in February as a joint-venture company with De Mandemakers Groep in the Netherlands. During the year, Culinoma becomes the leading kitchen retail chain in Germany with 79 stores after the acquisitions of Plana, Marquardt and Asmo. A decision is also made to increase the pace of store establishment within the Magnet, Hygena and Poggenpohl concepts.
1997/1998 − Nobia improves its margins by rationalising production, increasing brand recognition, improving efficiency and reorganising the business. The company can report a profit in 1997. Nobia begins focusing on the kitchen business and in 1998 acquires Novart, Finland’s leading kitchen manufacturer.
2000/2001 − Keen focus on establishing a core business while lowering production costs and broadening market coverage, which paves the way for two more cornerstones of the Group’s strategy − low production costs and multiple brands and channels. Door and window manufacturers are sold off, as well as Swedish wholesale operations. By acquiring German Poggenpohl, Swedish Myresjökök, Norwegian Norema, Danish Invita and British Magnet, presence in the European kitchen market is greatly reinforced.
2003/2004 − Combined acquisition efforts and organic growth pave the way for profitable growth, the Group’s fourth strategy cornerstone. It is also realised that lowering costs refers to all purchasing and not just production, changing the name of the cornerstone to low product cost. Operations in the German business unit Goldrief are discontinued. Nobia acquires Gower, a leading British manufacturer of flat-pack kitchens. At year-end 2004, Nobia’s net sales are SEK 11.3 billion and employees number 6,000.
2006 marks the ten-year anniversary of operations under the name Nobia. The acquisition of Hygena of France confirms the significance of the specialised kitchen studio network, which to date numbers about 650 Nobia-owned or franchised outlets in total. Influencing the offer – the content, design and exposure of the kitchen concept in a store – is a major determinant for profitability and growth. The Group represents one of Europe’s leading kitchen companies. Net sales reach SEK 15.6 billion and the number of employees 8,000.
2008 - The latter part of the year is dominated by the financial crisis and uncertainty, which reduces demand for kitchens at the end of the year. Consequently, Nobia reports negative growth for the first time since 2003. The company merges business units and enhances the efficiency of its supply chain.