Private equity firm Manadain Capital Partners’ MCP II fund has teamed with other qualified private investors to acquire La Fabbrica, an Italian manufacturer of high-end ceramic tiles and coatings.
The transaction, which will be carried out via the Italcer vehicle, marks the first stage of a project to create an Italian ceramics group which will benefit from production efficiencies, commercial synergies, and international development.
Graziano Verdi, who has extensive experience in the ceramics industry as CEO of Graniti Fiandre, which is now listed on the STAR segment of the Italian Stock Exchange, will be in charge of leading and managing the group.
Verdi’s past experience also includes CEO roles in Koramic (his most recent position) and Technogym.
In addition to the brand that bares the company’s name, La Fabbrica also owns the AVA brand, with which it has developed an important presence in the big slabs segment.
Alongside La Fabbrica’s acquisition, MCP II is already in advanced talks with another company active in the sector. The transaction is expected to be closed in the next couple of months.
In December, MCP II acquired a call option tied to Tagina, a Gualdo Tadino-based company with a longstanding tradition in the production of high-end ceramics. The option will be exercisable after the 2017 financial statements have been approved.
A number of other negotiations with other companies in the ceramics industry and in related sectors are also already underway.
Italcer will soon launch the construction of a 4.0 manufacturing facility in the US, with the aim to consolidate its presence in the region.
Legance’s team, led by Marco Gubitosi, advised MCP II in drafting the legal documentation, while the a team from Oaklins Arietti, led by Michele Manetti, identified the targets and developed the business plan for the project. An EY team, led by Enrico Silva, is in charge of the financial, commercial and tax due diligences.
