Houlihan Lokey Advises Ambienta SGR S.p.A

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Ambienta Sgr S.p.A., (Ambienta) a leading private equity firm particularly focused on sustainability investments, has acquired a majority stake in Lässig GmbH (Lässig), a leading producer of functional, sustainable, and innovative products for babies, children, and the whole family, together with its management.

Ambienta is a European environmental sustainability investor across private and public markets. Operating out of Milan, London, Paris, and Munich, Ambienta manages more than €3 billion in assets with a focus on investing in private and public companies that are driven by environmental megatrends and whose products or services improve resource efficiency or pollution control. In private equity, Ambienta has completed 58 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 funds to equity-long only.

Hans Haderer, Partner at Ambienta with responsibility for the DACH region, said: “With its strong and engrained commitment to sustainability and its successful strategy of growth and international expansion, Lässig is an ideal fit for Ambienta. The company is a pioneer, not only with innovations that meet the needs of families, but also with its focus on resource efficiency, the use of recycled materials, and the longevity of its products. We want to pursue and build on this approach together with the company’s founders, using Ambienta’s unique know-how to shape and further accelerate Lässig’s growth strategy.”

Based in Babenhausen, (Hesse) Germany, Lässig is a leading producer of functional, sustainable, and innovative products for babies, children, and the whole family, with sales in the DACH region as well as other European markets. Lässig was founded in 2006 by Claudia and Stefan Lässig in 2006 and has since grown to more than 110 employees and has made a name for itself as a top provider of products such as bags, accessories, and apparel for the entire family. From innovative diaper bags, which are still among its most successful products, Lässig’s product range has been gradually expanded to include bags/backpacks, toys, crockery for kids, apparel, and more. Lässig products can be purchased in about 2,800 traditional retail stores, 50 online stores, and via its proprietary online shop www.laessig-fashion.de.

Lässig is on a strong growth track and successfully started expansion to other European markets, such as France and the Benelux countries following the success of its established presence in the DACH region. Ambienta will support Lässig's internationalization through its global network and resources. In addition, Ambienta will drive the digitalization of sales, processes, and operations. Further, Lässig benefits from the current shift towards sustainable products in a market that is still dominated by conventional products.

Lässig perfectly fits Ambienta’s investment strategy, as the company is a pioneer in the implementation of a holistic sustainability strategy. When developing its products, Lässig concentrates on resource efficiency, renewable and recycled materials, and product durability starting from the product design phase. For example, the company uses materials such as organically cultivated cotton for two-thirds of baby clothes and supports farmers in India to switch from traditional to organic farming practices. In addition, the company has partnered with recognized recycled plastics suppliers to manufacture sustainable and durable diapers and school bags.

Houlihan Lokey acted as both buyside and financing advisor to Ambienta on this transaction, which marks the latest addition to Ambienta’s strong, sustainability-focused portfolio in Europe and its first investment into a clothing manufacturing and retail company.