Fondo Italiano d'Investimento invests in Corradi e Ghisolfi to support its development
This is the first investment of the new Fondo Italiano Agri&Food, “FIAF”, dedicated to leading players in the Italian agrifood industry
Milan, November 16, 2023 - Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR announces its entry with a majority stake in the share capital of Corradi e Ghisolfi, a leading Italian company in the design, construction and maintenance of agricultural biogas and biomethane plants.
The transaction, which is expected to be finalized indicatively by the end of 2023 and is subject to the usual conditions related to regulatory requirements, is the first to be carried out by Fondo Italiano Agri & Food - FIAF, the sectoral fund dedicated to supporting the Italian agri-food chain, Italy's leading industry in terms of added value and a global synonym for Made in Italy excellence.
Founded in 1970 in the province of Cremona, Corradi e Ghisolfi is an Italian company with more than two decades of experience offering all services ranging from design and implementation to plant maintenance in the biogas and biomethane sector. The company stands out for its know-how in the field of agricultural biogas and biomethane plants, patents and innovative solutions to serve such plants, aiming to maximize efficiencies, yields and production. In recent years the company has reported significant growth both in turnover, which for the current year aims to exceed €30 million, and in the number of employees, which has reached 60.
The investment made by FIAF aims at strengthening the company's managerial structure and expanding production capacity to support the strong growth in the target market expected in the coming years, both in Italy and abroad. The growth path will start from the enhancement of the internal resources that have contributed to the achievement of the company's goals so far as well as the hiring of additional employees to support the challenges of the coming years.
Paolo Corradi, son of founder Ettore, will remain at the helm of the company as CEO and Chairman, while his sister Chiara Corradi will join the Board of Directors. Ettore Corradi will be appointed Honorary Chairman of the company.
Pier Felice Murtas, Senior Partner of FIAF, stresses, "The history, experience and know-how of Corradi e Ghisolfi, as well as the undoubted skills demonstrated by the Corradi family in operating in this important sector, were immediately a strong element of attraction for us. Starting today, we will work together with the Corradi family to seize every opportunity for growth, sustained by current market trends, with particular regard to the biogas and biomethane sector, an area in which the company has long been standing among the main Italian players. EU and national institutions are devoting more and more attention to the circular economy both from an environmental perspective and to foster progressive energy independence, and in this area we see a further boost to the company's growth."
Paolo Corradi, CEO and Chairman of Corradi e Ghisolfi: "An important strategic decision, and a necessary step to address the commitments arising from the significant investments planned in the biomethane and sustainability sector. The strategy aims to promote in a more incisive way the innovative services offered by our company and to continue investments in research and development of new solutions. Fondo Italiano d'Investimento is the ideal partner because, like us, it works to support key sectors of the Italian economy, such as agriculture, agribusiness, renewable energy and sustainability. I would like to express my special thanks to my sister Chiara, who supports me unceasingly, and to our parents, who have passed on core values to us from a very young age and today have supported us in this operation. I would also like to thank all the collaborators who, with commitment and passion, have contributed to the success of Corradi e Ghisolfi over the years and will support us in this new challenge."
Fondo Italiano d'Investimento was assisted by LawaL for legal aspects, Spada Partners for accounting and tax aspects, ERM for environmental and ESG aspects, and Willis for insurance aspects.
Corradi and Ghisolfi was assisted by UniCredit as financial advisor, Pavia e Ansaldo for legal aspects, and Mr. Sorrentino for accounting and tax aspects.
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Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR
Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR was established in 2010 on the initiative of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and is majority-owned by CDP Equity, with the remaining shares held by Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, Fondazione ENPAM, Fondazione ENPAIA, ABI, Banco BPM and BPER Banca. Fondo Italiano d'Investimento SGR main objective is the management of closed-end investment funds with patient capital dedicated to leading Italian companies, combining the objective of return on invested capital, in line with international benchmarks, with the development of the Italian industrial ecosystem. Fondo Italiano manages 16 closed-end investment funds reserved to qualified investors, with over 3 billion euros under management and executes direct and indirect investments (funds of funds). Fondo Italiano considers sustainability a core value and is committed to integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into its investment activities.
For further information
Roberto Travaglino
Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR
+39 02 63532 208
roberto.travaglino@fondoitaliano.it
Thanai Bernardini
External press office Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR
+39 335 7245418
me@thanai.it
Alessandro Bozzi Valenti
External press office Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR
+39 348 0090866
alessandro.valenti@thanai.it