Riello Investimenti SGR acquires 60% stake in Apreamare
Private equity firm Riello Investimenti SGR has acquired a 60% stake in Italian shipyard Apreamare. The transaction was carried out through the Italian Strategy Private Equity fund, the third fund managed by Riello Investimenti SGR.
Italian shipyard Apreamare’s roots date back to 1849, when Giovanni Aprea began handcrafting the first fishing boats in Sorrento, creating a generational family-run business. In the late 1980s Cataldo Aprea, together with Rita and Salvatore Pollio, founded Apreamare Yacht, successfully combining craftsmanship and innovation in materials and design.
Today, Apreamare is internationally recognised as one of the historic brands of Italian boating, renowned for the Gozzi Sorrentini, with models including 35, 38 Cabin, 45 and 48 Cabin. The company has a worldwide dealership, including Montenegro. Monaco, Greece, Japan, the Middle East and California.
In 2024, the company recorded revenues of over €20 million, more than 25% of which were generated abroad.
The company also has a dedicated after-sales refitting division, restoring and updating the current fleet of Apreamare yachts. Services include teak deck replacement, painting, and upholstery updates, interior and exterior coverings, as well as updates to navigation systems, on-board systems, new accessories and components, all from the main 3,000 square metres production site in Torre Annunziata.
As part of the agreement, Cataldo Aprea and Rita Pollio will remain in their respective roles of Chairman and CEO.
Cataldo Aprea, Chairman of Apreamare, said:
“The entry of Riello Investimenti SGR represents a new and ambitious chapter in the history of our shipyard. The goal of this new synergy is to accelerate the internationalization and innovation of the brand, while never betraying our artisanal authenticity.”
Riello Investimenti SGR is an independent asset management company with over 20 years of experience in alternative investments, managing private equity and private debt funds.
Its strategy focuses on the active management of companies in investment portfolios development through the addition of new management resources, improved corporate governance, consolidation, and internationalisation.
Nicola Riello, Chairman of Riello Investimenti SGR, commented:
“We are very proud of this new transaction which, in line with our approach, involved the participation and reinvestment of the Aprea and Pollio families, ensuring that managerial continuity which represents a fundamental factor in the experience and development of the nautical sector.
“The deal also foresees a significant injection of financial resources into the company, which will support Apreamare in the development and expansion of the shipyard and in the launch of new yacht models. This acquisition confirms our strategy, aimed at investing in iconic Italian excellence brands and companies with high growth and development potential.”