Sicer Group spins off with Ardian-backed MBO
Deal News | Jan 20, 2025 | Finance Community ES 2 - Corporate M&A
Sicer Group, an Italian company specializing in advanced materials for ceramic design, is undergoing a significant ownership change as Azimut Libera Impresa (ALI) facilitates the sale of its majority stake. The transaction is structured as a management buyout (MBO) supported by Ardian, a renowned global player in private markets. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Fiorano Modenese, Italy, Sicer operates worldwide with facilities in multiple countries including Italy, Spain, and the U.S. DC Advisory was appointed by ALI as the exclusive financial advisor, successfully navigating the strategic review and selection of buyers. The transaction, signed on December 24, 2024, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025 pending regulatory approvals. Under the terms, key executives Gianfranco Padovani and Giuliano Ferrari will reinvest alongside Ardian, which will take a minority position. This MBO aims to continue Sicer's growth trajectory initiated under ALI's leadership.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Ceramics and Advanced Materials
- Financial Advisory
Geography
- Italy – Sicer is headquartered in Fiorano Modenese, Italy, and several key advisory roles are based there.
- Global – Sicer's international operations span multiple countries, and Ardian is a global investment firm.
Industry
- Private Equity – The article discusses Ardian, a private equity firm, supporting a management buyout deal for Sicer Group.
- Ceramics and Advanced Materials – Sicer Group is a leader in advanced materials for ceramic decoration, an industry central to the article.
- Financial Advisory – DC Advisory's role as a financial advisor in this transaction highlights the importance of advisory services in M&A activities.
Financials
- Not disclosed – Financial terms of the management buyout deal were not disclosed in the article.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sicer Group | Target company | Company | An Italian company specializing in materials for ceramic decoration. |
| Azimut Libera Impresa (ALI) | Selling Company | Company | Private equity fund managing the majority stake in Sicer. |
| Ardian | Bidding Company | Company | Private markets investment firm supporting the MBO with a minority stake. |
| DC Advisory | Financial Advisor | Company | Financial advisory firm managing the strategic sale process. |
| Gianfranco Padovani | Management | Person | Sicer's key executive involved in the reinvestment and management buyout. |
| Giuliano Ferrari | Management | Person | Sicer's key executive involved in the reinvestment and management buyout. |