Since we produced our first puzzle books in 1930, we have remained adaptable and a market leader through autonomous growth supported by our buy-and-build strategy. These acquisitions and investments in digital solutions allow KMG to continuously adapt to the latest consumer needs and changing markets.
Expanding our portfolio with the acquisition of CoolGames and Dutchbook in the Netherlands, Synonymer.se in Sweden and Onni Kastunnus Oy in Finland.
Expanding our global footprint with the acquisition of Kappa Publishing and Kappa Books in the United States. Followed by the acquisition of RCI Jeux (France) and Sudoku SRL (Italy).
Shares of Ergon Capital and TMG acquired by BC Partners. Acquisition of Ediciones Pleyades (Spain) and of Küng Verlag (Switzerland).
Acquisition of Dohi (Sweden) and majority stake in PRS (Italy).
Acquisition of Aller media (Sweden), PIB Features (Denmark) and Bastei Lübbe (Germany).
Acquisition of Sanders, Bonnier and a minority stake in Elevate Labs leading braintraining app.
MBO Keesing Media Group backed by Ergon Capital.
Isaäc Keesing founds Systems Keesing (archive economic & financial information.
Since Keesing was founded in 1911 by Amsterdam-based journalist Isaäc Keesing, we have grown into the global market leader in print, online, and app puzzle formats. After he became successful with his financial archives, Keesing launched his own publishing house in 1916.
When Isaäc Keesing introduced Denksport, the first puzzle magazine in the Dutch market, it set off a new puzzle-playing craze and the brand quickly became a household name.
After 1945 Keesing expanded by publishing puzzle books in different languages. Keesing France, established in 1955, has been especially successful with its brand Sport Cérébral.
Since our early days, Keesing has flourished thanks to its family-owned dedication to the business. In 2004, NPM Capital acquired a 100% share in Keesing. With its ongoing success and visibility, Keesing was purchased in 2006 by TMG (Telegraaf Media Groep), one of the largest Dutch media groups. This ensured our continued future growth, which was built on a strong foundation. In 2017, Ergon Capital acquired Keesing. BC Partners, a leading international investment firm, has acquired all shares from Ergon Capital and Mediahuis in early 2021.
With our unmatched enthusiasm and expertise, KMG has become the largest publisher of puzzles and braintainment games. And the story continues. Our ambition is to bring Braintainment to everyone in the world. And we keep expanding. We continue to develop a growing range of puzzle magazines all over the globe. And just as importantly, we keep expanding into more markets in print and digital format.