Impala quarries out 500m deal

Spanish-based Impala Capital Partners and Charterhouse Capital of the UK have combined forces with existing shareholders to acquire Grupo Levantina, in a move that creates the world’s largest natural stone company. Impala Capital and Charterhouse will jointly hold a controlling stake in the company.

In 2005, holding company Grupo Levantina had revenues of €340m and Ebitda of over €70m, with more than 2,000 employees. In recent years, the company has pursued an aggressive growth strategy in countries such as China, the US, the Middle East, the UK and the new European Union countries. In 2005, exports represented 50% of revenues.

The new private equity owners aim to accelerate this internationalisation, as well as strengthen the marketing strategy by introducing natural stone products in new distribution channels.

The transaction was financed by BNP Paribas. Advisers for the acquirers included Jones Day, Cuatrecasas, PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG.