Gradiente II, a private equity fund managed by Gradiente SGR, announces the acquisition of a controlling stake in Argos Spa and Aalberts Surface Treatment Italy Srl — the operating subsidiary of the Aalberts Group based in Opera (Milan). It has also signed a binding agreement to purchase Impreglon Italia Srl. Together, these companies will form Argos Surface Technologies group, with the aim of becoming one of the leading players in the surface treatment sector serving Italian industrial districts.
With the various complementary technologies currently available — ranging from electroless nickel plating to anodizing, fluoropolymer coatings and thermal spraying — and its solid technical know-how, the group will be able to offer an integrated range of functional and aesthetic solutions to meet the growing needs of customers, in terms of both process standards and quality services.
The group, led by Andrea Siano, Luca Garone, Paolo Grimaldi and Vittorio Sacchi, the partner-managers of the companies currently involved, and supported by the new CEO Marco Winkler, forms the platform on which Gradiente will start down an ambitious path of further acquisitions aimed at creating a structured, multifunctional company with a direct presence in all major Italian industrial districts.
Carlo Bortolozzo, a founding partner of Gradiente SGR, has commented on the transaction. ‘We believe that the new Argos Surface Technologies group has clear potential to develop and become a leading Italian supplier of surface treatments, including through a targeted plan of acquisitions to reinforce a domestic market that is still very fragmented. Gradiente is pleased to support the administration along this path of growth by providing the group with its experience in complex integration and development projects, as well as financial resources.’
Gradiente has been assisted by Grimaldi Studio Legale, Russo De Rosa Associati, New Deal Advisors, Epyon Consulting and Golder Associates. Argos and Impreglon Italia were assisted by the law firm Dentons. Aalberts was assisted by the law firm Gattai, Minoli, Agostinelli & Partners.