BC Partners takes majority stake in Ima Group

BC Partners, a leading pan-European private equity firm, partnered with the incumbent Vacchi family to orchestrate the take-private of IMA S.p.A., a global leader in packaging machinery previously listed on the Milan stock exchange. The transaction was structured as a leveraged buyout, initiated through a mandatory tender offer following BC Partners' acquisition of a significant minority stake in Sofima, the Vacchi family's holding company. This strategic partnership allowed the founding family to retain majority control of the new ownership structure while leveraging BC Partners' financial backing and expertise to delist the company. The rationale for taking IMA private was to support its next phase of growth away from the short-term pressures of public markets. The new owners intend to foster long-term value creation through strategic investments in innovation, the adoption of new technologies, and the pursuit of organic growth opportunities globally. For the Vacchi family, the deal provided a strong partner who shared their vision for the group's future evolution. For BC Partners, the acquisition represented a classic investment in a resilient market leader with a strong management team, a global footprint, and multiple levers for future value enhancement in a sector with positive long-term fundamentals.

The acquisition of Ima Group is part of the growth strategy of BC Partners, which already has several external growth operations under its belt, notably Pasticceria Bindi in 2020.