Acb Group acquired by Somacis

Italian printed circuit board manufacturer Somacis, backed by investment firm Bain Capital since 2024, has announced it is taking control of the Franco-Belgian operator Group ACB by acquiring 100% of its capital. This transaction enables Somacis to secure €50–100M in additional revenue while significantly strengthening its industrial presence in Europe. Initiated under exclusive negotiations in early 2026, the definitive agreement orchestrates the total exit of a consortium of historical institutional shareholders, specifically Société Générale Capital Partenaires, BNP Paribas Développement, and Arkéa Capital. The financial architecture governing the transaction utilizes existing corporate liquidity combined with proceeds generated from specific corporate bonds issued by the acquiring holding company, Castello (BC) Bidco S.p.A., during the final quarter of the preceding year. This strategic consolidation directly addresses the sustained market demand for critical electronic components by unifying localized research and development frameworks. The integration protocol systematically merges the newly acquired fabrication capabilities into the buyer's broader European network, actively scaling the technical capacity required to supply advanced technological sectors. By absorbing these active operations, the acquiring entity structurally deepens its regional penetration and eliminates a direct mid-market competitor. The complete share transfer formally follows mandatory consultations with employee representative bodies and the subsequent receipt of all necessary regulatory clearances from competent European authorities. To execute this cross-border buyout, the acquiring management mandated a dedicated transaction advisory consortium. New Deal Advisors, utilizing a specialized team led by Antonio Ficetti gasco and Gaetano Attanasio, executed the comprehensive financial due diligence required for risk assessment. Furthermore, Eight Advisory Benelux provided targeted support to evaluate the regional financial perimeters associated with the transaction. The strategic rationale focuses on establishing a dominant, specialized European supplier capable of executing high-volume, critical manufacturing contracts without relying on transcontinental supply chains.

In the past, the company had already been the subject of several LBOs, notably led by Andera Partners in 2016 and Arkea Capital / Societe Generale Capital Partenaires / BNP Paribas Developpement in 2022. These multiple LBO cycles illustrate the strong appeal for this type of asset.