DeA Capital and VSL Club have acquired a majority stake in Zephyr Group

June 2021 — The owners of Zephyr Group have sold a majority stake in the company to DeA Capital and VSL Club. Paolo Castagnet, Nicoletta and Carlo Demonti will maintain 35% participation alongside Sviluppo Sostenibile and VSL to support the growth and internationalization process already undertaken by Zephyr Group in recent years.

Founded in 1974 in La Spezia, Italy, Zephyr is one of the main European companies specialized in the distribution of spare parts for merchant ships and slow ferry engines, as well as for power plant engines. In 2018, thanks to the acquisition of the Spanish competitor Skandiaverken, with over 150 years of history, Zephyr consolidated its European leadership position among independent distributors. The company represents the industry benchmark as it offers a wide range of 30,000+ products, know-how and a high level of service. In 2020, Zephyr Group had revenues of approximately US$50 million – with a sound and high EBITDA – generated in 80 countries, with a database of over 1,000 loyal customers.

DeA Capital is a leading Italian private equity firm. Through its Sviluppo Sostenibile fund, it intends to support Zephyr Group in a growth process that envisions the expansion into new strategic markets, add-ons and the extension of the product range and services offered to customers. Such an extension will facilitate a regulatory-environmental upgrade of ships and improve their ESG KPIs. VSL Club, an investment and consulting company specialized in the maritime industry, participated in the operation as strategic co-investor.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins’ team in Italy assisted the shareholders of Zephyr Group as the exclusive financial advisor. The marine equipment specialist team in the Netherlands initiated the project and supported the transaction during the identification and contact with potential buyers.