YKK buys Bluclad: the Prato-based company that develops and produces high-quality plating solutions for the European luxury industry. The seller is LBO France, through its Italian platform Polis, while the buyer is Japanese giant YKK, through its European holding company, which generates $6.9 billion in sales in 2024. The expected acquisition date is December 2025.
YKK buys Bluclad
Even after joining the YKK Group, Bluclad will continue its business activities as usual: its products and services will remain unchanged (source Nikkei.com). The Prato-based company was founded in 2008, has a share capital of 5.3 million euro, and employs 58 people. LBO France had taken a 60% stake in the company in late 2018, alongside management. According to the Financecommunity website, Bluclad has been growing since 2018, strengthening its operations in Italy and launching its international expansion by opening in Portugal. In summer 2021, it merged with Progold of Trissino (Treviso), another LBO France investee.
According to Milano Finanza sources, the Prato-based company ended 2024 with revenues of €25 million and an Ebitda margin of around 20%: this development has attracted some international industrial groups. Blucald’s management and ownership then chose the proposal of the Japanese group YKK, which was mainly interested in Bluclad’s plating solutions to increase the value offered to customers. The Japanese group recently moved a key part of its global strategy to Vietnam, focusing on the mid-price range rather than luxury.
“Reference point”
Lorenzo Cavaciocchi, CEO of Bluclad, said that thanks to the development that came with LBO France, “we are and remain the reference point for electroplating in the luxury sector”. Arthur Bernardin, chief private equity officer Polis, on the other hand, highlighted how the deal generates a very significant return for investors.
Photo from Bluclad
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