EOS Investment Management (EOS IM) has acquired a majority stake in Atex, a multinational nonwovens company with a manufacturing presence in both Italy and the U.S. 

Founded in 1993, Atex’s headquarters is located in the north of Italy, and boasts a high value added production facility, utilising a specialist polymer extrusion process. 

In 2000, after achieving commercial success abroad, Atex built a cutting-edge production plant in Gainesville (Georgia, USA), which has now become Atex Inc. In 2016, Atex had a turnover of about €50 million, with strong operating margins (14% Ebitda) and a solid financial position.

EOS IM’s acquisition will enable Atex to further develop its ambitious yet pragmatic new industrial strategy, which entails both the enhancing of the key senior team resources and the strengthening of production plants in order to penetrate new market niches. The plan is also to widen the Atex offering through new acquisitions, always under the hallmark of identifying talent, flexibility and quality, which are part of Atex’s historical DNA.

Max Castellani, Luca Di Benedetto and Mario Di Benedetto, the Group’s senior management, comment: “We are very satisfied with this important achievement, because EOS IM is the ideal partner to pursue not only a financial path, but also strong industrial growth. Atex has all the credentials to gain the leadership in the sector of nonwoven fabrics on an international scale.”

Ciro Mongillo, founder and CEO of EOS IM, says: “This industrial partnership has a special value. The Atex management team and shareholders will make a significant investment alongside EOS IM in the development project. This is a key part of EOS IM’s culture and approach, whereby it makes deals and establishes partners with converging objectives. The purpose is to pursue a measured financial and strong industrial growth strategy, which is sustainable and profitable for all our investors.”

Marco Giuseppini, head of Private Equity at EOS, concludes: “Atex represents an example of Italian excellence, which is able to express a high development potential and is ready to further penetrate opportunities on the international market.”