KEP Italia S.r.l.

Closing: November 2023
Industry: Horse riding helmets
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 74%

KEP Italia, founded in 2007, headquartered in Calvagese della Riviera (BS), is the leading producer of horse-riding helmets with a premium positioning in its sector.

The company is recognised for its high technical and qualitative characteristics, which combine the best solutions in terms of design, technology, safety and raw materials.

KEP Italia mainly distributes its products to specialised horse-riding retailers. With the acquisition of Veredus, at the end of 2024, the group has expanded its product range, including protective equipment for horses.

KFL EST S.r.l.

Closing: July 2022
Industry: Customised heat exchangers for HVACR sector
Transaction Type: Leveraged Buy-out
Partecipazione: 60%

KFL (Klima For Life) headquartered in Romans d'Isonzo (GO), is among the leading European players in the production of customized air heat exchangers, mainly used in industrial refrigeration (cold rooms, transportation and storage of products along the cold chain, ice machines) and industrial air conditioning (hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and data centres).

KFL manages the production cycle, from cutting, bending, and mandreling the copper tube that runs inside the heat exchanger, to fins printing, to cutting and processing the sheets that cover the machines.

The business model is based on a high level of customization, capturing the most attractive growth trends and diversifying the risk across multiple sectors.

CBS.EST.S.r.l.

Closing: July 2022
Industry: Shaped connection tubes and manifolds for the HVACR sector
Transaction Type: Leveraged Buy-out
Partecipazione: 60%

CBS, headquartered in Varmo (UD), is active in the contract manufacturing of shaped connection tubes and other manifolds and distribution circuits, mainly made of copper, for the HVACR sector, in particular for industrial and residential heat pumps and data centre temperature control systems.

CBS has a well-diversified portfolio of more than 300 customers and has recently developed a partnership with the company Vertiv, which manufactures complex systems for temperature and humidity control in data centres by assembling its own components with other externally-made elements.

The business model is based on a high level of customization and flexibility, and thus high customer service, which allows processing a high number of orders.

EMC Colosio

Closing: October 2021
Industry: Electromechanical components for lighting
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 60%

EMC Colosio, headquartered in the outskirts of Brescia, is the European leader in the development and production of electromechanical devices for the lighting industry.

The company, founded in the early 80's, was originally recognized as leader in the production of traditional lamp holders and has successfully embraced the disruptive and widespread appearance of the LED technology in the market, quickly turning and adapting its production to the new industry needs and standards, also diversifying its end markets in the luxury design, architectural, industrial and smart lighting solutions for roads and cities.

Exports account for 70% of total sales, developed with over 1000 OEM customers, including world-recognized design brands and smart lighting specialists for roads and cities.

Starlaks Italia

La salmoneria italiana

Closing: February 2021
Industry: Salmon processing
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 100%

Starlaks Italia Srl, headquartered near Novara,is active in the processing of smoked salmon and fresh fish filleting. 

The company holds the key certifications to operate in the reference industry, granting the sustainability of the whole supply chain, from fish farming to salmon smoking. It sells its products, both branded (Starlaks and AQUAFOOD) and private label, mainly to large Italian supermarket chains. Starlaks is strongly appreciated by customers, thanks to the high level of service, flexibility and quick order execution.

Favillini Pharmaceutical Packaging Group

Closing: February 2020
Industry: Secondary pharmaceutical packaging
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 50%

Grafiche Favillini, founded in Livorno in 1886, is active in the paper converting sector and specializes in the production of secondary cardboard packaging exclusively for the pharmaceutical / nutraceutical sector. Customers are leading pharmaceutical companies and Contract Manufacturing Organization that need a product with high technical specifications in a quick time.

In July 2020 Grafiche Favillini acquired 100% of Idea Grafica, based in Liscate (MI), a company active in the manufacturing of boxes and leaflets for leading companies in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sector. With the acquisition of Interpack (based in Pomezia) in January 2025, and the strengthening of the strategic partnership, the group becomes a key player in Italy in the reference market.

Chiorino Technology

Closing: February 2018
Industry: Leather coating
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 100%

Chiorino Technology, established in Biella in early 1980’s, is specialised in the finishing of leather for the luxury segment of the leather goods industry. Chiorino serves a broad customers base composed by the most important international luxury brands. The company operates a fully owned industrial site with plant and machineries compliant with the strictest industrial and environmental regulations.

h-old

Closing: January 2015
Exit: October 2016
Industry: Special adhesive tapes for the industrial sector
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 97%

h-old, headquartered in Biandrate (Novara), is a leading supplier of special adhesive tapes for the industrial sector. h-old was founded in 1982 as a supplier of chemicals products for adhesive tapes manufacturers, and it is now one of the main European manufacturer of special adhesive tapes for industrial use, with a strong international presence (export share is ca. 80%). The special adhesive tapes manufactured by h-old, single and double-coated, are used in various industrial sectors: electromechanical, electronics, automotive, construction and shipbuilding. h-old produces high quality products and is able to guarantee a wide range of solutions tailored to specific customer needs, along with a high level of customer service.

The company was sold to Saint-Gobain in October 2016.

VSP Fasteners

Closing: June 2013
Exit: August 2017
Industry: Manufacturing (high strenght fasteners)
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 100%

VSP Fasteners, headquartered in Brugherio, in the outskirts of Milan, manufactures and sells high strength bolts and fasteners of medium to large diameters (up to 80 mm). VSP was founded in 1978 as a distributor of fastening solutions, and then started manufacturing high strength fasteners in the ‘80s. It is now one of the few European companies offering standard and special fastener solutions plus flexible tailored services, manufactured with either hot and cold forging technology. VSP exports ca. 80% of its turnover, mainly to Germany and Northern European Countries. Its customer portfolio is composed of both large international distributors and end-users active in the mechanics, construction and infrastructure, wind energy, earthmoving and ground handling machinery and ship building sectors.

Exited in August 2017 through disposal to Max Mothes GmbH, leading specialised distributor in North Europe.

Lisapharma

Closing: July 2015
Exit: October 2019
Industry: Contract Manufacturing and proprietary generic drugs
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 54%

Lisapharma, headquartered in Erba (Como), is a pharmaceutical company active as Contract Manufacturer and seller of proprietary generic drugs (primarily injectables). Founded in 1925, starting from 2000 the Company has specialized in injectable products, semisolids and liquid oral products. The company serves a broad international client portfolio: 85% of the turnover is generated from export in 40 countries. Lisapharma operates a fully owned industrial site with a surface of 6,000 m2.

The company was sold to Shandong Sito Bio – Technology Co. Ltd in October 2019.

Castello Italia

Closing: August 2018
Exit: October 2021
Industry: Extrusion of plastic tubes
Transaction Type: Buy-out
Partecipazione: 75%

Castello Italia, headquartered in Casalmorano, is a leading extrusion plastic tube manufacturer, focused on the automotive and industrial equipment markets. Castello produces mainly tubes and coils for airbrake, Selective Catalytic Reduction and cooling systems as well as tubes for pneumatic and automation applications. Castello’s customers are the major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers focused on innovative systems, as well as industrial OEMs and distributors.

In october 2021 the company was sold to the french group ARaymond. 

Vision Group

Closing: February 2014
Exit: August 2024
Industry: Distribution of optical products
Transaction Type: Development Capital
Partecipazione: 46%

Vision Group is the Italian market leader by number of affiliated points of sale in the distribution of optical products (ca. 2100). 

The Company was founded in 1989 by a number of opticians interested in adopting common strategies towards consumers and suppliers. During the last 10 years, Vision Group steadily grew both organically and by acquisitions: it is currently completing its evolution from a simple trade group to an integrated retail company, also by developing a directly managed and a franchise network (under the brand VisionOttica, 260 points of sales).

Arcadia sold its participation in the company to Intermediate Capital Group in August 2024.