Renaissance partners acquisisce De Wave group

Renaissance Partners has secured a binding agreement to acquire the Genovese company De Wave Group, which specializes in designing interiors for cruise ships and large yachts. The purchase is made from Platinum Equity, and the De Wave managers, who will retain a 20% stake, aim to reinvest the majority of the proceeds from the sale, with the support of the new partner, into the company's operations.

The transaction must obtain Antitrust and Golden Power approvals, with a closing expected in Q4 2026. Specific financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. De Wave reported revenues exceeding 400 million euros in 2025, employing over 1,400 employees worldwide, and anticipates 2026 revenue to surpass 500 million. Founded in 2014 through the combination of three complementary companies, the group serves major shipyards on new build projects and major cruise operators for refit projects.

In the new build area, De Wave boasts an order book exceeding 2 billion euros, while in refitting, the company explains that "growth and the progressive aging of the installed fleet, combined with programs for renewal of the main operators, support a recurring and high-value demand, sustaining solid profitability." De Wave CEO Riccardo Pompili states that the acquisition is being undertaken from a position of great strength, as "in 12 years we have built, starting from three distinct realities, the only fully integrated operator for naval interiors, with 1,400 people and the trust of major shipyards and cruise operators worldwide.

We have found a partner who knows our sector and shares our ambition to make De Wave an even stronger global platform. Our reinvestment reflects our confidence in the group and our commitment to the path ahead." The Genovese group "represents, underlines Tommaso De Bustis, Renaissance partner, a rare combination of market leadership, high visibility and resilience, with significant growth opportunities.

Side by side with an absolutely level management team, we see a clear opportunity to further strengthen De Wave's global leadership, expand the group's presence in the large yacht and adjacent segments, pursue targeted strategic acquisitions, improve operational and ESG performance, and further develop the group as a global reference partner for the naval interiors industry."

Renaissance Partners was assisted by Fineurop Soditic and JP Morgan (financial advisor), Fineurop Soditic (debt advisor), Legance - lawyers (legal), Bain & Company and Roland Berger (commercial), PwC Italy (accounting, tax and structuring), and EY (ESG and HSE). Financing will be provided by a group of Italian and international banks, including Intesa Sanpaolo, Banco Bpm, UniCredit, Natixis, and Bper.

The sellers, Clearwater, Lazard, UniCredit, New Deal Advisors, EY tax, and PwC tax, acted as advisors to Platinum Equity; Ropes & Gray served as the legal counsel. BCG acted as a strategic advisor to De Wave.