LBO France picks up metal recycling facilities manufacturer Zato

• Zato is a designer and manufacturer of ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling facilities
• The founders of Zato have reinvested and will retain their management positions
• Banca Ifis has co-invested alongside Gioconda

LBO France has announced that it has bought Zato, an Italian designer and manufacturer of ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycling facilities, via its Italian subsidiary Gioconda.

Gioconda made the purchase via its Small Caps Opportunities II fund. Zato’s founders, Valerio Zanaglio and Alessandra Bresciani, have reinvested and will manage the company. Banca Ifis has co-invested alongside Gioconda.

Zato, based in Brescia, has a turnover of almost €40 million. It has a presence in 25 countries, including the US and Japan, and generates over 85% of its turnover internationally.

“This investment represents a tremendous opportunity to position ourselves in the energy transition and fits perfectly with LBO France’s strategy to accelerate on ESG & Climate factors,” said Arthur Bernardin, partner, small cap, and Chiara Venezia, investment director, small cap at LBO France. “Our objective will be to support Valerio Zanaglio, Alessandra Bresciani, and their entire team in a new phase of expansion of the company. In particular, we aim to strengthen its presence in new markets and to reinforce its position as an innovation leader through the use of innovative technologies.”

Zato is the fifth investment in Italy by LBO France’s Small Caps Opportunities funds after Vetroelite, Bluclad, Demas and Astidental Bquadro.

LBO France is a Paris-based private equity firm that was founded in 1998. It has raised €6.6 billion of capital to date, employs over 60 people and has made over 240 investments since its inception.