Blumen Group S.p.A., the Italian market leader for the production and sales of seeds for the hobby and professional sectors as well as nutritional and plant care products, controlled by the fund IGI Investimenti Quattro (managed by IGI SGR S.p.A.) and Atlante Private Equity (managed by IMI Fondi Chiusi SGR S.p.A.), has acquired the totality of the share capital of Samen Mauser A.G., long-standing Swiss producer of seeds, bulbs and gardening products.
With the most extensive range of flower and garden seeds, as well as a vast portfolio of plant care, cosmetic and nutrition products, Blumen today is a leading made-in-Italy horticulture and gardening brand. The last few years having been particularly important for the growth of Blumen, with the consolidation of companies and brand leaders in the sector, in Italy and abroad, reaching a consolidated turnover of over € 40 million with this latest acquisition.
Samen Mauser, founded in 1820 and based in Winterthur, has a turnover of over € 6 million and a vast product portfolio which includes flower and vegetable seeds, bulbs and garden products.
“ We are proud to welcome Samen and their workforce into the Blumen family. The acquisition of Samen is a functional and logical step in the development plan of Blumen to become a European level market leader, expanding its product portfolio and making the most of commercial synergies” says Roberto Tencani, Managing Director of Blumen.
“This latest acquisition by Blumen confirms the initial investment strategy in Blumen which saw it as an ideal platform for development. It lays the foundations for a further phase of expansion and consolidation in the sector at a European level. With a turnover of more than € 40 million, Blumen is one of the principal players in Europe,” comments Angelo Mastrandrea, Partner of IGI SGR S.p.A.
For this acquisition Blumen was advised by Vitale & Co S.p.A. for the financial aspects and by the law firm DV.

Rollon continues to grow, with turnover increasing by +15% in 2017, benefiting from the development of automation and robotics worldwide and its global footprint.
Rollon, the international group based in Vimercate specializing in linear motion, automation and robotics for a wide range of industrial applications, including industrial machinery, railway, aerospace and medical – has announced the finalization of the acquisition of T RACE, an Italian manufacturer of linear and telescopic motion rails, with headquarters and a production plant in Aicurzio, Monza Brianza, and foreign branches in Germany and China.
The acquisition – the fifth since 2011, following Hegra in Germany in 2015 and TMT in Italy in 2016 – strengthens Rollon’s offering of linear motion solutions by extending its current range with complementary products such as the MONORACE linear motion rails. These will be further developed through the Group’s Research & Development and production processes. Rollon thus consolidates its positioning in the fields of automation and robotics in industrial machinery, logistics and railway applications, confirming its leading role in these sectors.
The Group expects to grow by 15% in 2017, with revenues reaching close to €100 million, thus pursuing its ongoing double-digit growth in the last 4 years. These results are in part due to a proactive strategy of expansion on international markets, accelerated since 2013, with subsidiaries in Germany, France, USA, Japan, China and India, and Representative Offices in Russia, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The Rollon Group employs around 500 people worldwide, of which more than 300 in the production plant in Vimercate. The staff and R&D department of T RACE will be fully integrated into the Rollon headquarters.
The acquisition was finalized with the support of LGI (Chequers Capital) and IGI Investimenti Cinque.
“The acquisition of T RACE strengthens Rollon’s role as a global provider of linear motion solutions, in European, American and new markets” commented Eraldo Bianchessi, CEO of Rollon Group. “This new acquisition helps us improve our ability to meet the needs of customers and of a variety of markets in constant evolution“.
“The success of our strategy of expansion abroad results from our ability to offer an increasingly comprehensive range of solutions” Rudiger Knevels, General Manager of Rollon Group said. “This important acquisition will offer us new opportunities in various markers, enhancing Rollon’s position as a global Group”.
The legal firm DV Studio Legale and the tax consulting firm Fieldfisher supported Rollon S.p.A. throughout the acquisition.

The European private equity group founded more than 60 years ago in Vignola (Italy), Fabbri Group has branches in France, Germany, UK, Switzerland and recently in Russia. Fabbri is a market leader in the design, manufacturing, sales, and distribution of wrapping machines and films for fresh food market. Its commercial offer is completed with a reactive and reliable service and maintenance division for its large machines installed base.
With its 500 highly qualified employees, over 170 international patents and a production based on the research and development of innovative solutions, Fabbri works closely with diversified and qualified customers throughout Europe. Fabbri Group operates with retailers and fresh food processors, with solutions covering all food sectors: meat, fruit, vegetables, dairy, fish and gastronomy. Growth will boost over the next few years, driven by the increasing of balanced diets based on vitamins and noble proteins.
Emiliano Tonelli and Mirco Dilda, Senior Manager and Partner at Argos Soditic, said: “Fabbri Group is an Italian excellence that has built an astonishing reputation in developing innovative and combined solutions. The company has a strong heritage of patents and installed machines: a leadership position in a growing market with high entry barriers, a technological leadership, a resilient and balanced revenue mix, a diversified customer base, flexible operations and a skilled and qualified management team. We look forward partnering with the company and the management team to continue to grow Fabbri’s activities, even in countries where Argos and its investors are present. We at Argos Soditic also are committed to providing additional capital aiming at supporting a resolute external growth policy in new technologies and markets. “
Elisabetta Oliveri, CEO, Fabbri Group, said: “During our partnership with IGI, Lincolnshire and Chiarva family we strengthened our company through a process of strong managerialization, increased our product portfolio, implemented operational efficiency programs and extended our geographical presence. These important results give us a solid foundation and pave the way for our ongoing development that will carry on with Argos Soditic. We are delighted to continue to develop our business with a new partner sharing our vison that the company’ strength is based on the excellence of its products and services. “
Matteo Cirla, Managing Director of IGI and Executive Manager of IGI Investimenti Quattro, added: “We would like to thank Elisabetta Oliveri and all the employees of Fabbri Vignola Group for the excellent work they have done over the years, and we wish all of them, together with the new shareholders, to carry on Fabbri’s international development.”
Equity capital for the transaction comes primarily from Argos Soditic VII fund.
The transaction has been financed by a pool of banks: Crédit Agricole Cariparma (Agent Bank), Banca IFIS, Bper Banca ed Unicredit.
Argos Soditic have been advised by: Giovannelli e Associati Studio Legale, EY, Goetzpartners, Efeso Consulting, Giovanardi Pototschnig & Associati Studio Legale, Trotter Studio Associato, Marsh e Tauw.
Lincolnshire, IGI and Stella Group have been advised by: CBA Studio Legale e Tributario, Spada Partners, KPMG e William Blair.
Banks have been advised by Studio Legale Simmons & Simmons.
The transaction has involved …

On the sell side is the fund IGI Investimenti Cinque managed by IGI Private Equity which, together with Finint, had bought 100% of the company in 2015 with the aim of relaunching product development and promoting international expansion. In 2017 Vimec forecasts a turnover of € 50 million, a strong rise compared to 2016, selling its range of products manufactured in Luzzara in 50 different countries.
With this operation, IGI Private Equity successfully completes the first divestment of its most recent fund, under management since 2013, which to date has invested 70% of its capital commitment by Italian and foreign investors in the buyouts of Vimec , Rollon, Fi.Mo.Tec and Bracchi.
“We are extremely pleased with this transaction which sees the transfer of a leading Italian company to an international industrial group which will continue the initiatives for development and growth, alongside the management of Vimec led by Giuseppe Lupo, whom we thank for the excellent work done together,” says Angelo Mastrandrea, Partner of IGI and the manager in charge of the operation.
Matteo Cirla, Managing Director of IGI, further added, “The sale of Vimec shows the robustness of IGI’s investment strategy which focuses on industrial firms representing excellence in Italian manufacturing. We are very proud of this first divestment which will generate a premium return for our investors who in 2013 put their trust in us to turn around the fund previously managed by Arca Impresa Gestioni . It also gives us a springboard to start fundraising in the next few months for the new fund IGI Investimenti Sei, which will also be dedicated to outstanding Italian manufacturing companies exporting worldwide.”

The Vimercate-based group continues its growth, consolidating its own leading position in the market of linear systems and rails.
Rollon, the international group based in Vimercate, Italy, specializing in linear motion solutions for different sectors – including industrial machines, railway, aerospace, and medical – announced that it was closing the acquisition process for the Italian company TMT, with offices in Milan and factory located in Castel San Giovanni (Piacenza). The company produces linear systems and rails, and is owned by Mondial S.p.a.
This acquisition strengthens Rollon’s range of linear motion solutions, expanding the current range of complementary products to feature on of TMT’s best product families, “Speedy Rail”, in particular. Built in aluminum alloy, Speedy Rail is a range of structural rails that are particularly resistant to wear in critical environments. Rollon consolidates its own position in the industrial machines sector and in the applications areas of the automotive, ceramics, glass and metal industries, in addition to the packaging compartment.
This was another step for Rollon in its expansion on the national and international market, after last year’s acquisitions of Tecno Center in Turin, Italy and the German company Hegra. The Vimercate-based company plans to close 2016 with 82 million euro in revenue, with growth in double digits compared to the previous year and an even larger international presence: recently, in fact, they opened a branch in Tokyo, Japan and two others in Shanghai, China and Bangalore, India, respectively. These new branches are now part of a network that includes the locations already opened in France, Germany, and the USA, in addition to offices in Russia, Brazil, and the UK. The Rollon Group employs around 450 people worldwide, of which more than 300 work at the production plant in Vimercate.
The DV Law Firm in Milan, represented by attorneys Roberto Via and Stefania Cresci, assisted Rollon S.p.A during the acquisition procedure.
“The acquisition of TMT enhances the product range of the Rollon Group, guaranteeing that our range is even more complete and able to respond to the different applications and market demands: this is an important step in our growth strategy, which reinforces Rollon as a global provider for all linear movement solutions,” said Eraldo Bianchessi, CEO of Rollon Group.

The fund IGI Investimenti Cinque, managed by IGI SGR, has acquired a majority stake in Bracchi, the European leader in high added value and specialist logistics.
Following the operation, IGI owns 64% of the share capital of Bracchi, while the Annoni family together with other managers retain a 10% stake.  The remaining 26% of the capital is held by SI2 S.p.A. and Siparex Mid Cap II FCPI.
With its company headquarters in Fara Gera D’Adda (Bergamo), and branches in Poland, Slovakia and Germany, Bracchi registered a total turnover of over € 80 million in 2015 and an EBITDA of more than € 8 million.  The company employs 160 people and provides services for firms producing lifts and elevators, agricultural machinery and electromechanical components, as well as the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
IGI is investing in Bracchi to support its plans for further international development and growth, for additional acquisitions, as well as accelerating the development of high added value logistics for new specialized industrial niches.  With the deal, Matteo Cirla becomes Chairman of Bracchi S.r.l.
This is the fourth buyout carried out by IGI through the fund IGI Investimenti Cinque, following the investments in Rollon, Fimotec and Vimec.  With the acquisition of Bracchi, the Fund is now 65% invested.
Matteo Cirla, Managing Director of IGI SGR, says, “We are extremely pleased to announce this new investment in Bracchi, a strong group which has built up a solid reputation over time, an undisputable leadership in certain market niches in Europe and an excellent level of service which is widely recognized by international clients.  We intend to support the management in the jointly agreed business plan.  Bracchi is IGI’s fourth buyout in less than 3 years and demonstrates our ability to create value for our investors.”
Matteo Carlotti, outgoing company Chairman, representing the fund APE and the other sellers, has said, “After 9 years alongside the Annoni family, during which Bracchi has increased its annual turnover from € 60 million to the current € 80 million, we are pleased to be joined by two investors of undisputed ability and we are sure they will help Bracchi consolidate and continue the growth of the last few years.”
The fund IGI Investimenti Cinque was advised by PWC, Simmons & Simmons, Di Tanno e Associati, Golder and Marsh for the due diligence processes and by Goetze & Partners for the business analysis.  Siparex was advised by Rucellai & Raffaelli Studio Legale.
The shareholders of Bracchi were assisted by Lincoln International as financial advisors and by Gatti Pavesi Bianchi and Pavia & Ansaldo as legal advisors.

The majority shareholding of Ladurner Ambiente, one of the foremost Italian environmental operators, has been acquired by Zoomlion, the Chinese construction machinery giant, and Mandarin Capital.
IGI SGR, through the fund IGI Investimenti Quattro, had invested in Ladurner in 2012 and held a 20% shareholding in the company.
Following today’s operation, IGI remains as a minority shareholder of  Ladurner.

Thanks to the acquisition of Fito, DueCi and Get Off Blumen Group, the Italian leader in the seed sector, reinforces its position as protagonist in plant care and nutrition and opens in the UK and Hungary
Piacenza, 26 October 2015 – Blumen Group, the Italian leader in the production and sale of seeds for the hobbyist and professional markets, announces the purchase of the Fito, DueCi and Get Off labels from the German Henkel Group.
The three labels will be added to the other seven already produced and distributed by Blumen thus broadening their range for plant care and nutrition, which includes such well-known brands as Crescita Miracolosa, and reinforcing the company’s position in this segment, complementary to the seeds market in which Blumen has been the absolute leader since the 1980s.
The acquisition offers Blumen the opportunity to increase their international presence by opening up the UK and Hungarian markets where Get Off and Fito are already distributed.
DueCi has four product lines for plants (nutrition, protection, cosmetic and soils), Fito manufactures plants and flower care products which are distributed in garden centres and DIY stores, while Get Off produces dog and cat repellents.
With Get Off, Blumen enters a new market segment, similar to the pet care market, which the group intends to develop further with its sales network in both large scale and specialized retailers.
“This acquisition is fundamental for our strategy of consolidation and development which we have been applying for several years and which has established Blumen as absolute leader in the Italian seeds market and has now launched the company into the European market not only this segment but also for plant care,” commented Roberto Tencani, Managing Director of Blumen. “Thanks to the synergy in distribution we will be able to create, we expect to reach a turnover of € 35 million in 2016, compared to € 30 million forecast for this year, and we are confident of further growth in the next few years.”
“Adding these prestigious new brands to Blumen’s catalogue is of particular satisfaction to me, but also a new stimulus to further expand the distribution of our products in Europe,” says Raffaele Falangi, Head of the hobbyist division in Blumen. “Through the international sales network of Fito and Get Off, we will promote our selected brands, developing synergies which will enable us to expand our presence rapidly in high potential countries such as Great Britain which has a strong gardening tradition and culture.”
The acquisition of the labels was carried out with the support of IGI SGR, the majority shareholder of Blumen Group through its fund IGI Investimenti Quattro since 2012 when it invested in the company with the aim of sustaining its plan for growth and international expansion.
Matteo Cirla, Managing Director of IGI SGR says, “The excellent growth of the last few years, thanks to the commitment of the management and the possibility to carry out acquisitions in Italy and abroad, has made Blumen one of the best investments of IGI SGR and affirms the soundness of our investment strategy …

A step forward in the development of the Rollon Group. With this deal the group based north of Milan (Brianza) strengthens its leading position in the range of linear guides available and opens the way toward the acquisition of new shares in the international market.
Milan, 8th October 2015 – Rollon, the international group based in Vimercate, world leader in the production of linear motion systems for various sectors – from railways to aerospace, machine tools and medical equipment, announces the closing of a deal to take over the German company Hegra which specialises in the production of telescopic and linear guides.
The acquisition aims at strengthening Rollon’s range of linear motion solutions, broadening the current range with complementary products and reinforcing the presence of Rollon in the market sector of medium load guides and also heavy duty equipment.
The takeover of Hegra will enable Rollon to offer not only guides with new profiles and materials but also completely customised and highly performing solutions, thus moving toward an increasingly sophisticated offer that can meet the application needs of the customers. The deal is in line with Rollon’s clear growth strategy which is based on the acquisition of manufacturing companies with which it can integrate perfectly at the commercial level and with which it has a mutually complementary function at the industrial level.
Hegra, based in Limburg near Dusseldorf, has become an acknowledged leader in a niche market thanks to its ability to provide highly customised solutions for clients throughout the world.
The takeover also contributes to the expansion of Rollon into new market areas, starting with emerging markets such as China and India where the group has recently opened two wholly owned subsidiaries, in addition to improving the offer of Rollon in the German, European and U.S. markets.
Rollon closed 2014 with a growth in turnover of 6% and is estimated to close 2015 with a two-digit growth rate. In the same year it opened new subsidiaries in Shanghai in China and Bangalore in India, in addition to those already present in France, Germany, USA and the commercial offices in Russia and Brazil. In January 2015 Rollon bought out the Tecno Center of Turin, acquiring still greater strength in the segment of linear actuators. Today Rollon counts more than 350 employees within the group, of which more than half work at the production plant in Vimercate.
The takeover was finalised with the support of Linear Guides BV (controlled by Chequers Capital) and its partner in Rollon IGI SGR, who together intend to provide additional resources for acquisitions in the linear motion market segment.
“Chequers, which is indirectly the majority shareholder of Rollon, is very supportive of the Hegra acquisition which completes Rollon’s range of linear guides; it is a very complementary range, a very good fit to the existing Group. It is a decisive step to grow further in its market.” said Jérôme Kinas, Manager of Linear Guides BV and Managing Director of Chequers Capital.
 “We invested in Rollon for the purpose of supporting the growth and international development plan also by means of takeovers” said Matteo Cirla,Managing Partner of IGI Sgr. …

Milan, 21 April 2015 – IGI SGR S.p.A. and NEIP III have acquired Vimec S.r.l., the Italian leader and global player in the design and production of stair lifts, platforms lifts and elevators providing solutions for the accessibility of public and private premises.
 With this operation, IGI SGR, through the funds IGI Investimenti Cinque and IGI Investimenti Cinque Parallel, holds 67% of the capital of Vimec, while NEIP III, the investment company managed by Finint & Partners (the international financial group), has a stake of 32%. The remaining 1% is retained by the Managing Director of Vimec, Giuseppe Lupo, who will continue in his current position.
Vimec, founded in 1980, has its head offices and production site in Luzzara (Reggio Emilia) and operates worldwide through its subsidiaries in Spain, France, Great Britain and Poland as well as through its distribution network in 60 countries including Russia, Germany, East Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Latin America and China. With more than 160 employees, an extensive commercial network and widespread service centres, Vimec has quickly achieved its position as the leading operator in Italy and among the top international players with a turnover of around € 50 million and 60% exports in 2014.
 The current operation is the third by the funds IGI Investimenti Cinque and Parallel, following the acquisition of 100% of the capital of FI.MO.TEC. S.p.A. (leader in fixing systems for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors) and the acquisition of a majority stake in Rollon S.p.A. (producer of linear motion systems) together with Chequers Capital. As such, IGI SGR has invested 50% of IGI Investimenti Cinque and forecasts completing the investment of the fund with two other operations focused on developing of Italian firms of excellence before launching the fund-raising for IGI Investimenti Sei.
The Vimec acquisition is the fifth for NEIP III, following investments in Lafert S.p.A. (a motor manufacturer based in San Donà di Piave, Venice), Nuova Giungas S.r.l. (world-leading producer of insulating joints for the oil & gas industry based near Modena), Forno D’Asolo S.p.A. (producer and distributor of frozen cake products based in Maser, Treviso) and ABL S.r.l (manufacturer of machines for fresh fruit processing).
 Angelo Mastrandrea, Investment Director of IGI SGR and Chairman of Vimec says, “We strongly desired the investment in Vimec, intending to boost development through its management and further acquisitions. We aim to reinforce the presence of the group in strategic markets by opening new branches and to penetrate countries with strong growth potential. Particular attention will be given to the development of the service business and to increasing the product range.
 Domenico Tonussi, Managing Director of Finint & Partners stresses that “Vimec represents a typical investment for NEIP III. It is a company with high technical expertise which successfully operates in a growing market with a strong focus on in increasing exports”. “With Vimec,” he concludes, “we add another excellent Italian firm to our portfolio, confirming our investment strategy of providing financial andmanagerial resources to companies which are leaders in their markets and can substantially increase …

IGI SGR S.p.A., through the funds IGI Investimenti Cinque and IGI Investimenti Cinque Parallel, has acquired 100% of FI.MO.TEC. S.p.A.
Established in 1933, FI.MO.TEC. is based in Cologno Monzese and operates worldwide through its four subsidiaries in India, the USA, Germany and France, generating a turnover of over € 22 million per year.
FI.MO.TEC. is a market leader in the design, production and sales of cable fixing systems and accessories mainly for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. The company’s leading position and constant innovation in products and services will ensure its place among the industrial players involved in the Broadband 2020 development plan which foresees the changeover from coaxial cable to optical fiber with an upgrade of the entire related infrastructure. The existing 60,000 towers in Italy will need to be recabled using around 6 million fixing systems. Similar programs to increase capacity with a technological upgrade are foreseen throughout Europe and in the USA.
Matteo Cirla, Managing Partner of IGI SGR says, “We have invested in FI.MO.TEC. with the aim of sustaining development both internally and externally. We are targeting new markets with high potential, as well as broadening the product range with systems for sectors similar to the traditional areas.”
This operation is the second carried out by the funds IGI Investimenti Cinque and IGI Investimenti Cinque Parallel, following the co-investment with Chequers Capital in Gruppo Rollon.

The move has allowed Rollon to earn a leading position in Europe for its line of actuators, and also opens the field for future acquisitions of new market shares, mainly in Germany, France, the USA and emerging countries.
A new growth phase for Rollon, which over the past year has opened two branches – in China and India – and is growing by 6% annually.
Milan, 13 January 2015 – Rollon, the international group based in Vimercate, a world leader in the production of linear motion systems for various sectors, announces the closure of the transaction with the Italian company Tecno Center involving the acquisition of the Turin producer of linear actuators and components for linear motion systems for industrial automation. Rollon entered the linear actuator market in 2011 by acquiring the Italian company El.More.
The Tecno Center acquisition aims at strengthening Rollon’s offer in the actuator segment, as well as expanding its current range with complementary and technologically advanced and more complex products capable of high performance in applications in industrial sectors such as domestic appliances, automotive and machine tools. As a result, Rollon’s actuator range is the most competitive in Italy and among the most complete worldwide, which strengthens the group’s offer in Italy and all other areas where Rollon is already present with branches or sales offices: in Europe (Germany and France), the USA, and emerging markets (Brazil, Russia, China and India).
The acquisition is aligned with Rollon’s growth strategy, which is focused on purchasing an industrial production company to create perfect integration  an industrial level and leverage commercial synergies: Tecno Center will be able to take advantage of the international network of Rollon. Tecno Center products are already being made in Vimercate where the entire workforce of the Turin company is now employed.
Tecno Center, founded in 1971 in Venaria Reale (Turin), can boast strong leadership in the national market, where it generates about 80% of its income, while the remaining 20% comes from abroad. In 2014 Rollon saw a growth in revenue of 6%. In the same year it opened new branches in Shanghai, China and Bangalore, India, which have been added to its existing branches in France, Germany, and the USA and its sales offices in Russia and Brazil. Today, the Group has over 300 employees, over half of which work at the factory in Vimercate, the only one of its kind in the world.
The acquisition was finalized with the support and commitment of Chequers Capital and IGI SGR, the majority shareholders. The involvement of Chequers Capital as the majority shareholder of Rollon, alongside its co-investor IGI SGR, gives Rollon the means to consider acquisitions of any size in the linear guides market segment in which the group operates. This acquisition also demonstrates the approach of both Chequers Capital and IGI SGR to pursue the growth of their portfolio companies through an active acquisition policy.
“Chequers is very happy with the Tecno Center acquisition which complements Rollon’s actuators line and will boost further organic growth in the European markets only one year after …