Protos: H.I.G. Capital Acquires Controlling Stake
Deal News | Mar 13, 2025 | Legal Community Italy
H.I.G. Capital has acquired a controlling interest in Protos S.p.A., a leading independent technical consultancy company, in collaboration with existing management. Based in Rome, with offices in Milan and Genoa, Protos provides technical consulting and advisory services, including inspections and certifications. H.I.G. Capital was advised by the law firm Pavia e Ansaldo on all M&A and corporate aspects, while Advant Nctm handled financial and tax due diligence. Spada Partners structured the transaction. Legance advised Protos and sellers on legal and tax matters related to the sale and reinvestment. The deal was financed through a unitranche senior loan from Capza, a pan-European private capital platform, and a super senior loan from Crédit Agricole Italia, assisted by Chiomenti.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Technical Consultancy
- Financial Services
Geography
- Italy – The transaction involves Protos, an Italian company headquartered in Rome, and various advisory firms in Italy.
Industry
- Private Equity – This industry is relevant as the article discusses H.I.G. Capital, a private equity firm, acquiring a controlling stake in Protos.
- Technical Consultancy – Protos operates in the technical consultancy sector, providing services like inspections and certifications.
- Financial Services – This sector includes the financial structuring and financing aspects of the transaction, involving entities like Capza and Crédit Agricole Italia.
Financials
- 9.1 billion euros – Assets under management by Capza, the financier of the transaction.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| H.I.G. Capital | Acquiring Company | Company | A global private equity and alternative assets investment firm that acquired control of Protos. |
| Protos S.p.A. | Target Company | Company | An Italian technical consultancy firm providing advisory services and certifications. |
| Capza | Financier | Company | A pan-European private capital platform providing a unitranche senior loan for the transaction. |
| Crédit Agricole Italia | Financier | Company | Provided a super senior loan as part of the financing for the acquisition. |
| Pavia e Ansaldo | Legal Advisor to Acquirer | Company | A law firm that advised H.I.G. Capital on M&A and corporate aspects of the acquisition. |
| Advant Nctm | Financial and Tax Advisor to Acquirer | Company | A firm assisting H.I.G. Capital with financial and tax due diligence for the deal. |
| Spada Partners | Transaction Structurer | Company | A firm that structured the transaction between H.I.G. Capital and Protos. |
| Legance | Legal and Tax Advisor to Sellers | Company | Provided legal and tax advisory services to Protos and its selling shareholders. |
| Chiomenti | Advisor to Crédit Agricole Italia | Company | A law firm advising Crédit Agricole Italia on the financing aspects of the transaction. |