DEUTSCHE BETEILIGUNGS (DBAG) takes majority stake in GREAT LENGTHS

Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG), through its DBAG Fund VIII, acquires a majority stake in Great Lengths, an Italian B2B manufacturer and distributor of natural hair extensions for professional salon networks worldwide. The transaction reflects DBAG’s strategy of partnering with founder-led businesses operating in specialised, export-driven industrial niches with integrated production capabilities. The structure includes a significant reinvestment by the founding Antonino family, ensuring continued entrepreneurial involvement and strategic alignment with the incoming majority shareholder. Governance is organised around a partnership model combining financial sponsorship with family ownership continuity, supporting long-term international expansion. The transaction perimeter covers an integrated industrial platform combining in-house manufacturing, specialised distribution channels, and a premium positioning within the professional hair extensions segment. The business is characterised by a strong export profile and direct exposure to global salon networks. The investment thesis is centred on cross-border expansion and consolidation within a fragmented niche market, where competitive advantage is driven by value chain control and product quality differentiation. DBAG’s objective is to accelerate geographic expansion, strengthen commercial capabilities, and optimise operational structures while preserving the company’s premium positioning and established ESG standards.