Press Release: Platinum Equity to SELL DE WAVE GROUP Following MULTI-YEAR Transformation

Dow Jones
Sep 08
Global marine interiors specialist more than doubled revenue and EBITDA 
during Platinum Equity ownership, and surpassed EUR1 billion backlog 
 
 
   Transaction underscores Platinum Equity's commitment to investing and 
operating in Italy 
 
 
   LONDON, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum Equity announced today 
the signing of a definitive agreement to sell De Wave Group ("De Wave"), 
a leading provider of integrated marine interior and technical systems 
solutions for the cruise and yacht industries. Financial terms were not 
disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals 
and is expected to close by the end of 2026. 
 
 
   Headquartered in Genoa, Italy, De Wave supports shipowners and shipyards 
throughout the vessel lifecycle, from newbuilds to refits and upgrades. 
Its capabilities span design and engineering, manufacturing, project 
management and onboard installation, after-sales services, ship repair 
and maintenance. 
 
 
   During Platinum Equity's ownership, De Wave more than doubled revenue 
and EBITDA, grew its backlog to more than EUR1 billion and expanded its 
international footprint, all while navigating one of the most 
challenging periods in the history of the global cruise industry. 
 
 
   Platinum Equity acquired De Wave in October 2019. Shortly thereafter, 
the cruise industry entered a period of unprecedented disruption during 
the pandemic, as operators paused sailings and deferred newbuild and 
refit activity. 
 
 
   Platinum acted decisively during the disruption, elevating Riccardo 
Pompili to Group CEO and working closely with him to make key leadership 
hires and internal promotions at the height of the pandemic. 
 
 
   "When we acquired De Wave, we saw a technically strong business with the 
potential to become a more integrated global leader," said Louis Samson, 
Co-President of Platinum Equity. "Within months, the company was 
operating near the epicenter of Europe's initial COVID-19 outbreak while 
serving an industry brought to a near standstill. Riccardo and his team 
showed great leadership and together we rebuilt the business. It's a 
remarkable story of achievement, perseverance and teamwork." 
 
 
   "De Wave is a compelling example of what our team can achieve in close 
partnership with management," said Fernando Goni, Managing Director at 
Platinum Equity. "We believe our operational focus and the combined 
strength of our investment, operations and capital markets teams helped 
strengthen leadership, improve execution and build a more integrated and 
resilient platform through organic growth and M&A." 
 
 
   Highlights of the transformation include: 
 
 
   -- More than doubled revenue and EBITDA from acquisition levels, reaching 
 
      record fiscal 2025 revenue of more than EUR400 million and EBITDA of more 
 
      than EUR50 million 
 
 
 
   -- Elevated Riccardo Pompili to Group CEO during the pandemic and 
 
      strengthened the executive leadership team through key hires and internal 
 
      promotions 
 
 
 
   -- Completed a series of strategic add-on acquisitions that expanded De 
 
      Wave's product offering, technical capabilities and international 
 
      footprint 
 
 
 
   -- Advanced initiatives across pricing and margin discipline, sourcing, 
 
      project execution, technology, health and safety, and other core 
 
      operating capabilities 
 
 
 
   -- Expanded total backlog from approximately EUR500 million at acquisition 
 
      to more than EUR1 billion today, providing strong visibility across the 
 
      newbuild and refit businesses 
 
 
   "Platinum Equity was a committed partner throughout an extraordinary 
period for our industry," said Riccardo Pompili, Group CEO of De Wave. 
"The team acted decisively, supported our leadership and gave us the 
resources to invest in De Wave's future. Together, we expanded our 
capabilities, strengthened our international presence and created a more 
integrated platform that can support customers throughout the lifecycle 
of a vessel. I am deeply grateful to our employees for their dedication 
and proud of what we have achieved. We look forward to working with 
Renaissance Partners as we begin our next chapter." 
 
 
   Samson said the success of the De Wave investment marks another 
important milestone for Platinum Equity in Europe and its commitment to 
invest in Italy and other countries throughout the region. 
 
 
   "We have deliberately built our European deal platform with a diverse 
team that can operate across multiple local languages and cultures. 
Italy is a formidable market where having those capabilities is a 
difference maker," said Samson. "With the leadership of Filippo Rossi 
and Fernando Goni, our team has built strong local relationships and has 
deep experience partnering with Italian founders, families and 
management teams to support the development and international expansion 
of their businesses." 
 
 
   Platinum Equity's current portfolio also includes Fantini Group (Ortona, 
Italy), a producer and exporter of specialty-label wines, and Fratelli 
Polli (Monsummano Terme, PT, Italy), a producer of pasta sauces, 
condiments and vegetable preserves. Both remain active Platinum Equity 
investments. 
 
 
   Lazard, Clearwater, UniCredit, New Deal Advisors, EY Tax and PWC Tax are 
serving as advisors to Platinum Equity. Ropes & Gray is serving as legal 
counsel. BCG is serving as strategic advisor to De Wave. 
 
   About Platinum Equity 
 
 
   Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment 
firm with approximately $48 billion of assets under management and a 
portfolio of approximately 60 operating companies that serve customers 
around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions 
and operations -- a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O(R)  -- acquiring 
and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including 
manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment 
rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, 
telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 30 years Platinum 
Equity has completed more than 550 acquisitions. For more information go 
to www.platinumequity.com or visit Platinum Equity's newsroom for the 
latest stories about the firm. 
 
   About De Wave Group 
 
 
   De Wave Group is a global provider of integrated marine interior and 
technical systems solutions for the cruise and yacht industries. The 
Group supports shipowners and shipyards across newbuild, refit and 
upgrade projects through capabilities spanning design and engineering, 
manufacturing, project management and onboard installation, after-sales 
services, ship repair and maintenance. Its international network serves 
customers across Europe, Asia and the Americas. 
 
 
   Contact: 
 
   Dan Whelan 
 
   Platinum Equity 
 
 
   dwhelan@platinumequity.com 
 
 
    View original 
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/platinum-equity-to-sell-de-wave-group-following-multi-year-transformation-302871738.html 
 
 
 
   SOURCE Platinum Equity 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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