Halder acquires Bottega

Halder acquired a majority stake in Bottega while the firm's co-founder Gianfranco Lotti and general manager Marta Carcasci retain their minority shares. Franco Lucà has been brought in by Halder as the new CEO, and has taken a minority stake.

Italian private equity firm Vela Imprese has co-invested in Bottega alongside Halder, picking up a share in the company.

The fresh capital will be used to expand the firm's brand, Gianfranco Lotti, internationally. Halder aims to increase Bottega's product range, broaden its field of target customers and double the company's revenue over the medium term. The businesses plan to open flagship stores in major cities in all relevant markets, focusing on Asia.

The buyout was financed via Halder's Halder-Gimv Germany II fund, worth €325m, with 57% already committed. Since 2010, Halder has invested in five German companies and one French mid-market company.

Halder's recent deals include the MBO of bun producer Wback in July this year; and in June, it supported watercooler provider Aqua Vital's MBO, buying the firm from fellow private equity company Aheim.

Company
Bottega was founded in 1968 and is based in Scandicci, near Florence in Tuscany. Bottega manufactures leather handbags and accessories for luxury brands as well as for its own label Gianfranco Lotti.

The businesses reported sales of €34.8m in 2012. It employs 73 staff.

People
Gianfranco Lotti is Bottega's co-founder. Franco Lucà is the firm's CEO. Marta Carcasci is Bottega's general manager.

Advisers
Company – Meister & Associates (Corporate finance).

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• Topics
• Consumer
• Buyouts
• Southern Europe
• Halder Beteiligungsberatung GmbH
• Italy