Upon closing of the transaction, which is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of this year subject to customary approvals and conditions and to IIAC’s shareholders’ vote, the Zegna family will continue to control the Company with a stake of approximately 62 per cent. Based on the transaction value, the merged entity will have an anticipated initial enterprise value of $3.2 billion with an expected market capitalisation of $2.5 billion.
“Over 111 years ago, my grandfather and namesake founded Zegna with the belief that caring for both the natural environment and for people was the bedrock for creating the finest textiles and a successful brand. Since then, we have proudly followed in his footsteps to become one of Italy’s true luxury houses. Today’s announcement underscores the success of our strategy of continuously focusing on the Group’s brand equity while also continuing to build upon our heritage, our ethos of sustainability, and the unique craftsmanship that has made our name synonymous with quality and luxury around the world. The Zegna family will remain at the company’s helm following the transaction’s completion, and we will continue to invest in creativity, innovation, talent, and technology in order to sustain Zegna’s leadership position in the global luxury market,” said Zegna Group CEO Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna.
Since its founding in 1910 by the Company’s namesake, Ermenegildo Zegna, the Group has evolved from a producer of textiles and menswear into a leading purveyor of luxury goods to clients around the globe.
While the Zegna brand remains the Group’s flagship label and an emblem of Italian excellence, in 2018 Zegna acquired the majority stake in American luxury fashion brand Thom Browne. Zegna’s management has capitalised on the unique strengths of Thom Browne, namely its consistency and name recognition, its younger customer base, its high digital penetration, and its iconic collections, doubling Thom Browne’s revenues since 2018 as a result.
Over the past years, Zegna has strengthened its one-of-a-kind Made in Italy luxury textile laboratory platform through the acquisition of Italian textile manufacturers. The platform is a key competitive advantage alongside the Group’s ready-to-wear and Made-to-Measure offerings. It is the provider of choice for some of the world’s most highly regarded luxury names while also supplying the finest materials to the Group’s own brands, the company said on its website.
As of December 31, 2020, the Group has a presence in 80 countries through 296 directly operated stores, and this year, the Group expects annual sales to approach those of 2019. In 1991, Zegna was the first luxury menswear brand to open in China, and Greater China accounted for 35 per cent of the company’s apparel, accessories and textile revenues in 2019.
Also importantly, Zegna has expanded its leadership in the luxury leisurewear segment, growing this category from 38 per cent of sales in 2016 to over 50 per cent in 2021 year-to-date, all while maintaining its leadership position in the heritage formalwear segment.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)
Ermenegildo Zegna Group, a world-renowned Italian luxury house, and Investindustrial Acquisition Corp (IIAC), a special purpose acquisition corporation sponsored by investment subsidiaries of Investindustrial VII L.P., have announced a business agreement that is expected to make Zegna a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange later this year.
