Campari owner Lagfin invests in Bluegem's European consumer strategy expansion
**Bluegem Capital Partners Strengthens Position with Strategic Partnership**
Bluegem Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm specialising in the European consumer staples market, has announced a strategic partnership with Lagfin, a Luxembourg-based holding company controlling Campari Group. This partnership will see Lagfin acquire a minority stake in Bluegem, with the aim of supporting the firm's continued growth in the pan-European private equity market.
The partnership will provide Bluegem with enhanced resources to pursue new investments and expand its existing portfolio. Lagfin, with its extensive resources and strategic vision, will "anchor" Bluegem's upcoming funds, offering both financial support and strategic guidance to help scale the firm's operations.
Emilio Di Spezio Sardo, the new CEO of Bluegem, emphasised the shared vision with Lagfin in the official announcement. He stated that the partnership is designed to support Bluegem's continued growth, particularly in the consumer B2B and B2B2C sectors, which aligns with Lagfin's interests in expanding its portfolio.
The partnership is expected to facilitate synergies between Lagfin's spirits industry expertise and Bluegem's consumer-focused investments, potentially leading to more targeted and effective investment strategies. This strategic alignment could prove beneficial for both parties, as Bluegem continues to focus on cash-generative businesses in segments such as food, beauty, personal care, pet care, and home care.
Marco Capello, the founding partner of Bluegem, will retain oversight of existing portfolio companies but will no longer participate in new investments. Emilio Di Spiezio Sardo has been appointed CEO of Bluegem, succeeding Capello.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval. Latham & Watkins and Chiomenti advised Bluegem Capital Partners in the strategic partnership, while PedersoliGattai advised Lagfin.
This strategic partnership continues to strengthen Bluegem's position in the European mid-market by investing in resilient B2B and B2B2C non-discretionary consumer businesses. The partnership signals a major endorsement of Bluegem's focused investment strategy in B2B and B2B2C non-discretionary consumer businesses. With this partnership, Bluegem Capital Partners and Lagfin share a vision that investing in B2B consumer staples, beyond the discretionary side, is a fourth pocket of resilience and growth, similar to healthcare, business services, and software. The partnership is poised to propel Bluegem's growth plans, further solidifying its position in the European consumer staples market.
- The strategic partnership between Bluegem Capital Partners and Lagfin will support Bluegem's continued growth, particularly in the consumer B2B and B2B2C sectors, with a focus on investing in resilient B2B and B2B2C non-discretionary consumer businesses.
- The partnership will provide Bluegem with enhanced resources for pursuing new investments and expanding its existing portfolio, with Lagfin serving as an anchor for Bluegem's upcoming funds, offering both financial support and strategic guidance.
- The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, is poised to propel Bluegem's growth plans and further solidify its position in the European consumer staples market, being a significant endorsement of Bluegem's focused investment strategy.
- Lagfin's extensive resources and strategic vision, coupled with Bluegem's expertise in the European consumer staples market, could lead to more targeted and effective investment strategies, potentially benefiting both parties.
- Bluegem's new CEO, Emilio Di Spezio Sardo, reiterated the shared vision with Lagfin, emphasizing their alignment in investing in B2B consumer staples, beyond the discretionary side, as a fourth pocket of resilience and growth, similar to healthcare, business services, and software.
