Mec3

Fineurop Soditic acted as exclusive financial advisor to Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP in the acquisition of 100% of Optima S.r.l. from The Riverside Company. Charterhouse prevailed in a competitive auction process over leading strategic and international private equity investors. Established in 1984 and headquartered in Rimini, Optima is a leading manufacturer of ingredients for artisanal ice cream. It operates under the Mec3 brand and has an estimated global market share of approx. 12%. Optima offers a complete portfolio of top quality products among which pastes, bases and powders, gelato kit and syrups. In 2015, Optima reported sales of around €105 million and an EBITDA of €25 million. The Company is active in over 140 countries and can boast a particularly strong position in Germany and Brazil. The Riverside Company acquired Optima in a LBO transaction from the Emendatori family in February 2014. Charterhouse will provide Optima with additional means to accelerate its growth plans supporting the Company‘s strengthening and expansion into new markets at international level. The closing is expected by the end of 2016. Charterhouse Capital Partners, headquartered in London is a leading private equity investor in Europe. Established at the beginnings of the 80’s, Charterhouse has completed since its inception over 140 transactions worth an aggregate in excess of €50 billion in value. Charterhouse currently manages over €5.7 billion and has recently completed the fundraising of its X Fund of Euro 2.3 billion. Its small portfolio of investments allows Charterhouse to work closely in supporting management to maximize value for its investors. The acquisition of Optima-Mec3 is Charterhouse’s third investment in Italy in 3 years and follows the acquisitions of DOC Generici (realised in May 2016) and Nuova Castelli in 2014.