Global law firm Ashurst has acted for Oldenburgische Landesbank AG, Banca Ifis S.p.A., Crédit Agricole Italia S.p.A. and Deutsche Bank S.p.A., as arrangers and senior lenders, on credit facilities provided to private equity firm H.I.G. Capital, to support the acquisition of a majority stake in Berardi Bullonerie, a leading operator in the Italian market for the distribution of fasteners and the supply of integrated logistics services.
The vendors (including the CEO, Giovanni Berardi) have re-invested in the target group.
Founded in 1919, Berardi Bullonerie is a key partner to a number of Italian industrial companies for the just-in-time supply of standard and custom fasteners, and, more recently, for the design and implementation of integrated logistics programmes using the kanban system.
The Ashurst team was led by Milan banking partner Mario Lisanti, supported by counsel Luca Maria Chieffo, associates Francesca Cioppi and Beatrice Melito, and trainees Amedeo Bardelli and Aurora Pignalosa; tax advice was provided by Milan tax partner Michele Milanese, supported by trainee Simone Ferrucci. A London-based team led by partner Ross Ollerhead and senior associate Tamsin Crawford advised on English law banking aspects.
