Groupe Lfpi takes majority stake in Ital Express

FRANCE B2B Specialized Distribution REV €10–30M

Context

The acquisition of a majority stake in Ital Express by LFPI from CIC Finance represents a strategic ownership transition designed to unlock the next phase of the target's institutional growth after a highly successful three-year holding period that validated the scalability of its distribution model. The transaction secures full management continuity, with the leadership team reinvesting significantly alongside LFPI to capture fragmented market share in the industrial aftermarket distribution sector. Under the new ownership structure, primary capital allocation priorities will focus on expanding the platform's stock-keeping unit count to capture emerging vehicle technologies, optimizing warehousing throughput through automated sortation infrastructure, and executing a targeted bolt-on M&A agenda to build regional scale, maximize purchasing leverage with global component manufacturers, and diversify the customer mix.

Ital Express, which reported an EBITDA margin of [members only] in 2008, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of [members only], to compare with the average currently observed in the Business Services sector (11.5x in 2026).

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Target

Ital Express functions as a pan-European procurement and distribution platform for automotive and commercial vehicle replacement components, engineered to capture margin expansion through international buy-and-build consolidation. The platform aggregates purchasing volumes across distinct country operations to secure volume-based discounts, preferential rebates, and direct sourcing lines with tier-one original equipment manufacturers, transforming purchasing scale into gross margin improvement. Operational workflows depend on unified warehouse management software and synchronized electronic catalogs, allowing the group to coordinate multi-location inventory levels, reduce dead stock, and maximize shipping density across its networks in France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Ent. Value

[members only]

Equity Value

[members only]

Multiples

EV / Revenue

[members only]

EV / EBITDA

[members only]

EV / EBIT

[members only]

Historical Financials (EUR)

Year

Rev

EBITDA

EBIT

2008

2007

Other operations with Ital Express

Other operations with Ital Express
Date	Acquirer	Target	Country	Sector
03/2026	ITAL EXPRESS	DIEDERICHS KAROSSERIETEILE	GERMANY	B2B Specialized Distribution
07/2024	ITAL EXPRESS	SIDEXPORT	ITALY	B2B Specialized Distribution
05/2024	NAXICAP PARTNERS	ITAL EXPRESS	FRANCE	B2B Specialized Distribution
07/2019	CAPZA	ITAL EXPRESS	FRANCE	B2B Specialized Distribution
09/2014	AZULIS CAPITAL	ITAL EXPRESS	FRANCE	B2B Specialized Distribution

Other operations with Groupe Lfpi

Other operations with Groupe Lfpi
Date	Acquirer	Target	Country	Sector
06/2026	GROUPE LFPI	I-RUN	FRANCE	Sport
07/2023	GROUPE LFPI	TIKAMOON	FRANCE	Home & DIY

Similar deals in B2B Specialized Distribution

Similar deals in B2B Specialized Distribution
Date	Acquirer	Target	Country	Sector
09/2019	KITWAVE GROUP	CENTRAL SUPPLIES	UNITED KINGDOM	B2B Specialized Distribution
07/2019	MIDSONA	PANZANI ALIMENTATION SANTÉ	FRANCE	B2B Specialized Distribution
07/2019	CAPZA	ITAL EXPRESS	FRANCE	B2B Specialized Distribution
06/2018	IMCD	E.T. HORN	UNITED STATES	B2B Specialized Distribution
07/2017	EQUISTONE	GROUPE BRUNEAU	FRANCE	Office Supplies & Furniture
05/2017	KITWAVE GROUP	ALPINE FINE FOODS	UNITED KINGDOM	B2B Specialized Distribution
12/2016	NAXICAP PARTNERS	ECF GROUP	FRANCE	Hospitality Supplies
09/2016	KITWAVE GROUP	H B CLARK	UNITED KINGDOM	B2B Specialized Distribution
08/2016	PERRIGO COMPANY	GEISS DESTIN & DUNN (GDD)	UNITED STATES	B2B Specialized Distribution
09/2014	AZULIS CAPITAL	ITAL EXPRESS	FRANCE	B2B Specialized Distribution

REFERENCES

Revenue range: REV €10–30M

EBITDA range: €0–5M

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of Ital Express by Groupe Lfpi are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.

Target: ital express

Acquirer: groupe lfpi

FAQ

What transaction does this page cover?

This page covers the acquisition of a majority stake in Ital Express, a French company specialised in B2B Specialized Distribution, by Groupe Lfpi in 2008, structured as a leveraged buyout (LBO). Ownership has since evolved, leading to a subsequent transaction with Azulis Capital in September 2014 (see the dedicated deal page for details).

What were Ital Express’s revenue and EBITDA at the time of the deal?

At the time of the transaction, Ital Express generated annual revenue estimated in the €10–30M range and EBITDA in the €0–5M bracket (FY 2008). Detailed financial figures are available to members.

How does the valuation of Ital Express compare to benchmarks in the Business Services sector?

Transaction multiples for this specific deal are exclusively reserved for mynth members. By way of comparison, in 2026 companies in the Business Services sector are valued at a multiple of 11.5x EBITDA.

What sources support the information on this transaction?

The details of this transaction are sourced directly from the official corporate announcement published on the parties’ institutional website, ensuring primary-source verification of the closing and perimeter.

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