Houlihan Lokey Advises Nappi 1911

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce the sale of Nappi 1911 S.r.l. (Nappi), established producer of ingredients and semifinished products for the ice cream, pastry, and confectionery industry, to Aksìa Group. The Nappi family will reinvest into the deal, and Michele Nappi will continue to lead the business as CEO. The transaction closed on 16 November 2020.

Founded in 1911 and based in San Gennaro Vesuviano, Naples, Italy, Nappi is a leading company operating in the market of ingredients and semifinished products for the ice cream, pastry, and confectionery industry with a portfolio that includes over 1,500 references distributed across more than 70 countries worldwide.

Nappi serves more than 800 customers in the industrial, retail, and modern trade markets. Industrial customers mainly include multinational companies operating in the food and beverage industry, retail customers mainly include small pastry and ice cream shops as well as also global restaurant chains, and modern trade customers include some of the main international operators. The company operates through one manufacturing plant in Naples, characterised by cutting-edge systems with high-production capacity.

Aksìa Group is a private equity fund management company that mainly invests in medium-sized Italian companies, promoting their growth, international development, and management contribution. The company has carried out more than 40 operations in Italy and abroad, investing over €450 million through five funds.

Houlihan Lokey acted as the sole financial advisor to Nappi throughout the sale process, from the preparation of the initial marketing material for the company and the initial contacts with potential buyers to the final negotiation with the counterparties. Legance served as the legal advisor to Nappi.