Entrepreneurs Michele, Roberto and Fabio Cerantola have reinvested in the transaction, ensuring management continuity and the retention of key functions to support the new CEO. Sistemi Tecnologici, which has sold its stake in Cerantola and Ceraplast, is owned by the founding family. IGI Private Equity, with the support of Crédit Agricole Italia through Amundi Private Equity Italia as a co-investor, will acquire control of the Group.
IGI Private Equity, with the support of Crédit Agricole Italia through Amundi Private Equity Italia as co-investor, is continuing its investment strategy focused on the sustainable transition of family-owned businesses by announcing the acquisition of a majority stake in Cerantola S.p.A. and Ceraplast S.r.l. Cerantola, based in Ramon (TV), is a contract manufacturer active in the design, production and marketing of premium-positioned components for seating and complete chair kits, in plastic and metal. Founded in 1986 by the Cerantola family and developed over more than forty years by Michele, Roberto and Fabio Cerantola, the company has embarked on a path of progressive growth that has led it to become one of the leading integrated players in the sector at European level.
The company, which employs around 70 people, closed 2024 with consolidated revenues of approximately € 28 million and an EBITDA of over € 8 million. Production takes place at a single 23,000 m² site in Ramon (TV), supported by a well-established supply chain, an efficient, fully integrated production process, and an automated warehouse, ensuring a level of service that meets the highest industry standards.
With the aim of launching a further phase of strong growth, Michele and Roberto Cerantola – who will remain actively involved in the management of the company and will reinvest whilst retaining a significant minority stake – have decided to open up the company’s share capital to IGI and its co-investors. More specifically, the strategic plan envisages substantial growth in turnover through both acquisitions and organic growth, whilst continuing to invest in production capacity and strengthening the sales organisation, including abroad. Flexibility, service levels, quality and technical expertise make Cerantola a reliable, highly regarded and award-winning supplier to its customers.
“Cerantola is a manufacturing excellence, agile, efficient and well-invested. The vision of the Cerantola brothers has enabled the company to achieve a leading position in terms of both profitability and customer service, establishing a solid foundation for an even more ambitious development and growth project. In line with IGI’s DNA, we intend to work on a project with a strong industrial focus, which will position Cerantola as an even more significant and leading player within its competitive landscape,” states Andrea Bruschi, Partner at IGI Private Equity.
“Cerantola stems from the entrepreneurial journey that my brothers and I have built over time, with dedication, vision and a strong connection to our family history and local area. Thanks to constant investment aimed at optimising and automating the production model, and a rigorous focus on the quality and innovation of our products, the company has achieved an internationally recognised competitive position. We believe that now is the time to embark on a new phase of growth. Through an intensive and rigorous process of seeking the most suitable partner, conducted with a highly professional approach and supported by an in-depth analysis of the various available alternatives, we concluded that IGI’s entry represents the most appropriate solution to support Cerantola’s next phase of development. This decision was made not only on the basis of financial strength, but above all because of the strong alignment between the Fund’s industrial vision and the long-term project we intend to pursue. We are convinced that this partnership will enable us to further strengthen the organisation, consolidate our production platform and expand into international markets, whilst continuing to operate in accordance with the values that have always guided us: customer focus, service excellence and responsibility towards our people,” states Roberto Cerantola.
IGI, together with the new CEO, as well as Michele and Roberto Cerantola, have defined an ambitious development plan, aimed at exceeding € 50 million in consolidated revenue over the plan’s timeframe. The projected growth is structured along two complementary lines. On the one hand, the group intends to strengthen its current competitive positioning in international markets with the highest expected growth, expanding its commercial presence, boosting penetration in the Ho.Re.Ca. segment and progressively orienting the portfolio towards solutions characterised by high standards of quality, sustainability and environmental efficiency. On the other hand, the business plan envisages a significant boost to growth through external expansion, aimed at both accelerating geographical coverage and broadening the product range. This approach will enable Cerantola to extend its competitive scope, increase its significance within the sector and further consolidate its competitive position. In parallel, IGI will work to strengthen its organisational structure by attracting talent.
Crédit Agricole Italia (also acting as lead arranger), Banco BPM, Iccrea Banca and BCC Banca delle Terre Venete have financed IGI’s acquisition of Cerantola. Crédit Agricole Italia has decided to support the project by also making an equity investment alongside IGI, through the Amundi Private Equity Italia fund.
The IGI Private Equity team, comprising Andrea Bruschi, Angelo Mastrandrea, Andrea Sironi and Fabio Torazzi, acting on behalf of the funds under management as purchaser, was advised by: Chiomenti on legal matters, with a team comprising Luca Liistro (Partner), Arnaldo Cremona (Partner), Matteo Festa, Antongiulio Carella, Leonardo Forotan, Mariateresa Lamanna, Giulia Berton, as well as Andrea Martino (Partner) and Angelo De Michele, on banking matters; Molinari on tax matters, with a team comprising Ottavia Alfano (Partner), Matteo Mairone, Maria Gabriella Terracciano and Marco Marinelli; Fortlane Partners for business due diligence, with a team comprising Giovanni Calia (Managing Director), Philip Lloyd (Partner), Vlatko Atanasov, Guido Greppi Cappa and Filippo Zarattini; PWC for financial due diligence, with a team comprising Giovanni Tinuper (Partner), Alessandro Curri (Partner), Matteo Gubitta, Tommaso Telandro, Matteo Andreone and Marco Parmegian; ERM for HSE due diligence, with a team comprising Giovanni Aquaro (Partner) and Marco Orecchia; Prometeia for ESG due diligence, with a team comprising Gianmatteo Guidetti (Associate Partner), Camilla Pacchiarini and Giulia Ristori; Andersen for debt advisory matters, with a team comprising Andrea Davanzo (Partner), Sandro Ravera and Claudio Lleshi.
The Amundi team, acting as co-investor, was advised by Eversheds Sutherland on legal matters, with a team comprising Davide Proverbio (Partner), Giulia Zoccarato and Giuseppe Angiulli.
The Cerantola family (as seller) was advised by: Alberto Scapolo on accounting and financial matters; Banca Finint as Financial Advisor, with a team comprising Andrea Chiappa (Head of Corporate Finance), Pietro Favale (Director), Andrea Ometto, Simone Fortis and Daniele Piras; GOP for legal matters, with a team comprising Marco Malipiero (Partner) and Giovanna Murador .
The notarial aspects of the sale were handled by Studio Notarile Ciro De Vivo, with the involvement of notary Ciro De Vivo. Dentons advised the lending banks with a team led by Alessandro Fosco Fagotto (Partner).