Gradiente SGR Spa and Firme Spa have sold 100% of Lanificio dell’Olivo, historic producer of fancy knitting yarns in the Prato district, to Ethica Global Investments Spa fund.

The shareholders of Lanificio dell’Olivo were assisted by K Finance (Clairfield Italy) as financial advisor and by SAT (Spinazzi Azzarita Troi Genito) of Padua for the legal part; the financial vendor due diligence part was followed by PwC.

Ethica Global Investments was assisted by Gattai Minoli Agostinelli & Partners for the legal part and EY for the financial due diligence; Terrin Associati followed the tax part while the business due diligence was entrusted to Long Term Partners.

The transaction was financed by MPS Capital Services.

Lanificio dell’Olivo, founded in 1947, is an historical producer of fancy yarns that sells 100% made in Italy products to the most prestigious knitwear and needling brands worldwide. Based since foundation in the heart of Prato’s fancy spinning district, the company is positioned at the top end of the market, offering high quality yarns, produced with combinations of noble and natural fibres with innovative and modern materials. In 2019 the company achieved a turnover of about 20 million Euros, 60% of which with international customers.

Gradiente SGR Spa, founded by Pietro Busnardo and Carlo Bortolozzo, is an asset management company, active since 2010, which invests in small and medium-sized Italian companies operating in all sectors. In 2015 Gradiente invested in Lanificio dell’Olivo, acquiring 80% of the capital from the founding partners. Since then, the company has continued to manage and internationalize its business and has made Lanificio dell’Olivo an appreciated reference model in its sector.

Ethica Global Investments is a holding company promoted by Ethica Holding, owned by about twenty Italian entrepreneurs and professionals, and managed by the directors Ruggero Jenna and Francesco Sala, which invests in Italian SMEs with high growth potential with a turnover between 10 and 50 million Euros.