Global marine interiors specialist more than doubled revenue and EBITDA during Platinum Equity ownership, and surpassed €1 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 €1 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 €400 million and EBITDA of more than €50 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 €500 million at acquisition to more than €1 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^® – 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

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SOURCE Platinum Equity