Equistone acquires coating specialist Sihl

Equistone Partners Europe has acquired a majority stake in the Sihl Group from Italian business Diatec Holding. Sihl Group is one of the leading manufacturers of coated papers, films, and fabrics and operates on a global scale.

Equistone acquires coating specialist Sihl

The Sihl Group’s customers include companies from a diverse range of sectors, such as architecture, printing and publishing, industrials, advertising and design, photography, and transport and logistics, as well as private individuals. The company has factories in Bern, Switzerland, and Düren, Germany, a logistics and converting center in the U.S. in Fiskeville, Rhode Island, and has an extensive network of distribution.

Sihl Group offers products ranging from premium papers for photo and art printing and large-format media for inkjet or laser printing, through thermal papers for tickets, labeling materials, packaging materials, and self-adhesive products, to coated papers and films for industrial applications. Sihl Group distributes its products in around 90 countries.

Peter Studer, CEO of the Sihl Group, said: ‘Diatec Holding has supported our growth trajectory brilliantly over the past years, for which I sincerely thank the owner, Diego Mosna, on behalf of the entire Sihl Group. We now have Equistone, a capital-strong and experienced middle-market investor, which has successfully partnered with and supported many companies through their continuing international growth, by our side for the next steps of the expansion.’

Philippe Stüdi, Partner at Equistone, said: ‘With numerous outstanding and innovative products, the Sihl Group has established an excellent market position. Together with the management we want to use this to promote international growth in the U.S. and Asian markets and to further expand the strong position in Europe. We are looking forward to continued collaboration with both the management and the staff of the Sihl Group.’

The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed. The completion of the transaction is subject to competition authority approval.