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.
Paolo Castagnet
CEO, Zephyr Group
Talk to the deal team
Frederik van der Schoot
Oaklins Netherlands
Related deals
Cibus has acquired Aweta from Standard Investment
Standard Investment has reached an agreement with Cibus Capital, advisor to the Cibus funds, on the sale of Aweta, a global leader in fruit and vegetable sorting, grading and packing equipment. Completion of the transaction is expected in the coming weeks. The transaction provides Aweta with a strong partner to support the company’s next growth phase. Under Cibus’ ownership, Aweta will pursue further international growth and accelerate investment in R&D, supporting the installed base and product innovation, including software and AI capabilities. Aweta’s leadership team will continue to lead the business.
Learn moreGroGlass has been acquired by Apogee Enterprises
Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOG), a leading US provider of architectural building products, services and high-performance coated materials, has acquired GroGlass, a Latvia-based developer and manufacturer of high-performance anti-reflective and UV-protective glass coatings. The acquisition brings GroGlass’ differentiated coating technologies and materials science expertise into Apogee’s performance surfaces segment, broadening its product offering and market reach while expanding its manufacturing and R&D presence in Europe.
Learn moreCapvis has sold hessnatur to Wourth Group
Hess Natur-Textilien GmbH & Co. KG has become part of the international Wourth Group. With the change of ownership from Capvis to Wourth Group, hessnatur is entering its next phase of development. The transaction reflects the company’s successful strategic and business development in recent years, and creates a strong foundation for the future.
Learn more