Ardian and Consilium SGR have exited Rollon Group. The two private equity firms sold the Vimercate, Italy-based maker of linear rails and actuators to Chequers Capital and IGI SGR. Rollon Group Chief Executive Officer Eraldo Bianchessi led the transaction which was structured as a management buyout but no financial details about the transaction were disclosed. France-based investment firm Chequers Capital and Italy-based private equity company IGI SGR will become majority stakeholders in Rollon.
Rollon Group posted sales of EUR 54 million last year. It gets 80% of its revenues overseas through its subsidiaries in the US, France and Germany. Ardian and Consilium bought a majority stake in the Group three years ago. From 2009 to 2012, Rollon nearly doubled its revenues and produced substantial operation margins. The Group also purchased Italian actuator producer El. More in 2011. The acquisition enabled Rollon to grow its product range and take advantage of the company's worldwide sales network.
Under its new owners, Rollon intends to develop further and conquer new markets, more specifically in the Far East.
Ardian's Managing Director and Head of the Italian LBO Small Market Enterprise Capital team Paolo Bergonzini said that they were able to help Rollon get new blue-chip clients in the train and aerospace sectors as well as grow in new markets. Consilium SGR Managing Director Stefano Iamoni also said, "Through a combination of organic growth and acquisition with the support of its financial investors, Rollon has significantly grown its sales and profitability, strengthening its leading position in the industry."
Ardian is a private investment company with USD 36 billion in assets managed or advised in North America, Europe and Asia. Majority of the company is owned by its employees. Consilium SGR is an independent asset management firm. Its Consilium Private Equity Fund has EUR 150 million under management and focuses on opportunities in Italian small and medium sized firms.
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