Deal Details

SF-Filter Was Acquired By Funds Advised By Equistone

Industrial

SF-Filter, majority owned by Ambienta, acquisition by funds advised by Equistone

Summary

SF-Filter Group (“SF-Filter” or the “Company”), majority owned by Ambienta SGR SpA (“Ambienta”), was recently acquired by funds advised by Equistone Partners Europe (“Equistone”). The transaction was completed on 29 September 2022. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Baird served as exclusive financial advisor to Ambienta on this transaction.

About

SF-Filter is the leading European value-added distribution platform for aftermarket filtration solutions across mobile and industrial applications that protect equipment, processes and the environment. With more than 27k+ customers across Europe, the SF-Filter brand is recognised as the leader in the field of oil, air, and fuel filters as well as filters for liquid, hydraulic and pneumatic applications, dust extraction and air conditioners. Its broad filter assortment of 140k+ filter types with 40k+ always on stock deliverable at all times, and its local sales force offering competent technical and independent advice to its customers, offers a clear differentiation to its competitors. SF-Filter is headquartered in Bachenbülach, Switzerland, and operates sales and logistics centres in Germany, Austria, France and Poland. Ambienta joined SF-Filter as majority shareholder in January 2016.

Ambienta is a European environmental sustainability investor across private and public markets. Operating out of Milan, London, Paris and Munich, Ambienta manages over €3.0 billion in assets with a focus on investing in private and public companies driven by environmental megatrends and whose products or services improve resource efficiency or pollution control. In private equity, Ambienta has completed 57 investments to date. In public equity markets, Ambienta has pioneered one of the world’s largest absolute return funds entirely focused on environmental sustainability and manages a full suite of sustainable products ranging from low-risk multi-asset fund to equity long only.

Equistone Partners Europe is one of the most active European investment firms with a team of more than 40 investment professionals operating from seven offices in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom. The Equistone funds primarily invest in established mid-sized businesses with favourable market positions, above-average growth potential and enterprise values of between €50 and 500 million. Since the company’s formation, equity has been invested in more than 170 transactions. Its portfolio currently comprises around 50 businesses across Europe, among them around 20 active investments in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Equistone is currently investing its sixth fund, which held a final closing at its €2.8 billion hard cap in March 2018. In addition, recently the “Equistone Reinvestment Fund” was issued from which it is possible to reinvest in minority positions after sales of portfolio companies from the main funds.

Industrial

SF-Filter, majority owned by Ambienta, acquisition by funds advised by Equistone