FIRST INVESTMENT FOR PRIVATE EQUITY FUND GRADIENTE II
First investment for Private Equity fund Gradiente II.
Padua, March 15th, 2018 – First investment for Private Equity fund Gradiente II, managed by Gradiente SGR, which acquired HPF S.r.l., active in the production of special forgings for the medical, power generation, aerospace and automotive markets.
Co-investors were: NORD Holding GmbH, a German Gradiente II LP, and the seller Amil S.r.l.
The deal aims at implementing HPF’s role in the international panorama of contract manufacturer specialized in the medical and power generation fields, consolidating its leadership position.
HPF was established in 2007 in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia as a spin-off company of Limacorporate S.p.A, a global leader in the production of prostheses and orthopaedic implants. The company closed 2017 with a turnover of approx. 18 million euros.
“The entry of a financial partner in HPF capital is part of a development plan aimed at confirming HPF as the privileged partner for the main OEM operators, with a significant focus on the medical and energy generation fields” commented Lualdi family representatives and business partners of Amil.
“HPF represents the first investment of the Fund, created to support dynamic companies with strong growth prospects “, commented Pietro Busnardo, CEO of Gradiente SGR: “we strongly believe that HPF has excellent growth perspectives. Thanks to the high standards in design and manufacturing, the company is internationally recognized and offers a wide range of products with high technological content.”
Gradiente was advised by SAT law firm for contractual issues, Russo De Rosa Associati for fiscal consultancy, PricewaterhouseCoopers for accounting consultancy, Ernst Young for business consultancy, Golder Associates for environmental consultancy and financial advisor Vitali&co. Luani Family was advised by Cleani e Associati for fiscal consultancy and Fruttarolo Cappelletti Pecile & Chiavon law firm for contractual issues. The transaction was supported by Istituto Mediocredito Italiano S.p.A., which belongs to the Intesa Sanpaolo Group. The loan agreement was drawn up by Fontana Galli e Associati law firm.