Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Veneto region and across Italy now play a key role in developing and strengthening the economy, with many companies choosing to open their capital to outside investors to expand their presence in international markets.
This was the focus of the event “M&A: Business Continuity and Opening Up Capital as a Driver of Growth”, held at CUOA Business School in Altavilla Vicentina as a conversation between financial advisor Translink Italy and IFP Europe. We took part by sharing our experience: the decision to open our capital to outside investors to strengthen the growth and development already under way, including in international markets, with the support of Translink Corporate Finance Italy.
The event highlighted IFP Europe’s experience with the strategic decision to open its capital to outside investors, a choice that has allowed the company to strengthen its growth and development in both local and international markets.
“IFP Europe has a strong presence in Europe and is expanding into other countries,” explained Giacomo Sabbadin, CEO of IFP Europe. “Right now, 70% of our production stays in Italy, but we’re focused on developing international markets and increasing our production capacity to meet growing demand. That’s also why we joined B.Group. Our goal is growth, and it has been steady throughout these years. The new shareholders intend to focus firmly on internationalization, building on our existing industrial and entrepreneurial assets and investing in our sales and production structure. They also plan to grow through targeted acquisitions in complementary business segments and regions, with the ambitious goal of turning IFP Europe into a solid ‘pocket multinational’. One of the first steps in this direction is the agreements we’re signing with international partners to sell our machines in markets around the world, with the aim of strengthening our business through our dealer network.”
Opening the company’s capital to outside investors has played a crucial role in this expansion. IFP Europe has attracted investors who share its vision and want to support its long-standing commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. This has given the company access to additional financial resources to fuel its growth, along with the expertise and networks of its new investors.
“With a view to growing and expanding our markets internationally,” Sabbadin concluded, “we welcomed the investment firm B.Group into the company, which from the outset has built on our existing industrial and entrepreneurial assets by investing in our sales and production structure. IFP Europe’s revenue is expected to grow by about 20% in 2023, reaching €30 million compared with €25 million in 2022.”
Special thanks go to Francesco Gatto, Head of Finance at CUOA, and Gerardo Dal Piva, Partner at Translink Italy, who made a significant contribution to the success of this important strategic step. The collaboration between IFP Europe, CUOA Business School and Translink Corporate Finance Italy is a strong example of how synergies between companies, academic institutions and financial advisors can deliver remarkable results for Italian business.