VITAL S.p.A. is a C-parts distributor headquartered in Milan, Italy, with two additional branch offices. The company has been family-owned since its foundation in 1975, and is today run by the founders' sons, who will continue to manage the business. The customers are primarily located in Italy, and the customer base is well-diversified and active in industries such as electrical, machinery, rail and construction.

VITAL has in recent years achieved excellent growth and profit. It has 57 employees and net sales of EUR 48 million in 2023, with an operating profit margin above Bufab’s 2026 profitability target.

The purchase price paid today upon closing of the transaction amounts to EUR 31.9 million on a cash-free/debt-free basis. In addition, a deferred purchase price of circa EUR 11 million will be paid in two instalments in 2025 and 2026. Finally, a performance-based additional payment (earn-out) of a maximum EUR 11.2 million may occur in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 conditional on improved operating profit. The acquisition will be financed by Bufab's existing credit facility.

“I am very happy to announce this acquisition, as we see VITAL as a great opportunity to build up our Italian footprint and increase our service level to the customers we are currently supporting there. It is a stepping stone of a suitable size with a great reputation that in the future can be used as a platform for add-on acquisitions and drive market consolidation in a highly fragmented market. Furthermore, we see that Bufab and VITAL complement each other and we will deepen our presence in Italy and southern Europe by learning from the VITAL team with great and long experience in the region.”, says Erik Lundén, President and CEO of Bufab.

“Over the past two years, we have gotten to know Bufab very well, and are pleased to have found a partner in Bufab that is a perfect fit for us. This deal comes at a good time in VITAL’s development and will enable us to accelerate our growth journey, says the previous owners Daniele Pesce, Stefano Pesce and Luca Bernasconi. We are pleased that we, the previous owners, can continue as managers, and together with the whole VITAL family we look forward to the cooperation with Bufab.”

The transaction closed today and will be reported within Bufab's region Europe West. It will generate transaction costs of approximately 8 MSEK in the fourth quarter of 2024.