Vilmar Joins Forces with Special Flanges in Strategic Acquisition
Deal News | Jun 19, 2025 | Finance Community IT - 3 Private Equity
Wise Equity's Special Flanges has completed the acquisition of 100% of Vilmar, a Romanian company specialized in engineered equipment for critical applications, from the French group Genoyer. This transaction was facilitated using Special Flanges' liquid assets and a bank refinancing deal involving Crdit Agricole Italia, BCC Banca Iccrea, and others. Additionally, the strategic support of Simest added 6 million euros to their financing structure, further supported by venture capital managed in cooperation with the Italian Ministry of International Affairs. Founded in 1971, Vilmar contributes expertise in industrial sectors like nuclear, subsea, and power generation. The acquisition is expected to leverage Vilmar's technical know-how and geographic presence to strengthen Special Flanges' niche leadership in Europe, potentially achieving combined revenues of about 120 million euros, with over 80% generated outside Italy. The strategic alignment between Vilmar and Special Flanges aims to create value through product and geographic synergy, fostering growth and development. The Vilmar management team, under the guidance of Director General Khelifa Guemra, will remain in place post-acquisition, ensuring continuity and further engagement with new opportunities. Advisors included KPMG for financial and fiscal due diligence, Skadden, and Simmons & Simmons for legalities concerning Special Flanges. Vilmar's advisory team comprised Wagram for M&A and Raffeisen Bank for financial aspects, alongside legal support from Lexelians and Act Legal.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- Finance and Banking
- Energy and Utilities
Geography
- Italy – Home base for Wise Equity and financial activities related to the acquisition, along with involving Italian banks and government-supported investment.
- Romania – Vilmar's headquarters, indicating its geographical significance and operational base within Europe.
- France – Origin of the selling company, Genoyer, marking its role in the transaction.
Industry
- Private Equity – Wise Equity's acquisition of Vilmar indicative of strategic expansion and investment by private equity into niche industrial markets.
- Engineering and Manufacturing – Vilmar's specialization in engineering components for critical industrial applications, underlining the industrial and manufacturing sector relevance.
- Finance and Banking – Involvement of multiple banks in refinancing and Simest's investment underscores the financial and banking industry's role in the acquisition.
- Energy and Utilities – Vilmar's expertise in industries such as nuclear and power generation highlights its relevance to the energy and utilities sector.
Financials
- 6 million euros – Amount provided by Simest to support the acquisition, including public venture capital resources.
- 37 million euros – Vilmar's revenue for the year 2024.
- 120 million euros – Projected combined revenue of the new group formed by Special Flanges and Vilmar.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Equity V (Wise Equity sgr) | Private Equity | Company | The PE firm executing the acquisition of Vilmar through its portfolio company, Special Flanges. |
| Special Flanges | Acquirer | Company | The entity within Wise Equity's portfolio making the acquisition. |
| Vilmar | Target company | Company | Romanian engineering firm acquired in the transaction. |
| Genoyer | Vendor | Company | French group selling Vilmar to Special Flanges. |
| KPMG | Financial and Fiscal Advisor | Company | Provided due diligence services for Special Flanges. |
| Crdit Agricole Italia, BCC Banca Iccrea, BCC Carate Brianza, BCC Treviglio | Bank Consortium | Company | Banks involved in refinancing to support the acquisition. |
| Simest | Strategic Support | Company | Provided financial support as part of the acquisition financing strategy. |
| Wagram | M&A Advisor for Vilmar | Company | Assisted Vilmar in the M&A process. |
| Raffeisen Bank | Financial Advisor for Vilmar | Company | Provided financial advisory for Vilmar during the acquisition. |
| Lexelians and Act Legal | Legal Advisors for Vilmar | Company | Handled legalities for Vilmar in the acquisition deal. |
| Skadden and Simmons & Simmons | Legal Advisors for Special Flanges | Company | Provided legal advisory services for the acquirer. |
| ERM | Environmental Advisor | Company | Consulted on the environmental aspects of the acquisition for Special Flanges. |