LONDON:  Oakley Capital Investments Limited announced that Oakley Capital Private Equity III has completed an investment in Alessi S.p.A (Alessi), the Italian high-end design business focused on home ware products.

Alessi is an iconic homeware brand with 100 years of heritage; working with some of the world’s leading architects and designers it has captured a global audience and developed a well-established, premium position in the market.

The Alessi Juicy Salif Lemon Squeezer (designed by Philippe Starck) and Anna G Corkscrew (designed by Alessandro Mendini) are some of the most recognised homeware products in the world, with millions sold since they were launched, reinventing traditional categories with their innovative designs.

Alessi was fully owned by the founding family, who have been looking to identify a partner to assist them in the development of the company. Oakley’s experience in supporting family and founder-owned businesses, and its expertise in the consumer sector made it an attractive partner at this stage in Alessi’s development.

Oakley’s strategy will focus on further strengthening and expanding the proposition of the brand by targeting new audiences and optimising the portfolio’s mix of products, pricing and distribution. In addition, Oakley brings deep expertise in marketing and shaping digital strategies for consumer-driven businesses (as seen with Parship Elite, Facile and Schülerhilfe).

OCI’s indirect contribution through its interest in Fund III will be approximately £6 million. Alessi is the tenth and final platform investment in Fund III.

Peter Dubens, Managing Partner of Oakley Capital commented: “We are delighted to become an investor in such a globally renowned brand. Alessi’s unique approach to design and product innovation makes it a highly attractive investment opportunity for Oakley. We are excited to partner with the Alessi family to support the business in the next phase of its development.”

Alberto Alessi, President of Alessi commented: “Two years ago, at the turn of Alessi’s centenary, the family started to look for a partner able to help us adapt to the new globalised world without losing our brand strength, spirit of research and design excellence. It was not easy, but with Oakley Capital we believe we have found just that partner. A new phase of Alessi’s development will start very soon.”

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