The Artsana Group Acquires The Boppy Company, the U.S. Market Leader of Infant Feeding and Support Pillows for Babies

2008-06-11 23:36:34 -

- St. Charles Capital M. Peter Feer, 303-339-9099 Managing Director pfeer@stcharlescapital.com or Jon Pardew, 303-339-9099 Principal jpardew@stcharlescapital.com or The Artsana Group Manuela Cervelli, +39-031-382-210 Central Communication Department manuela_cervelli@artsana.it On May 30, 2008, The Artsana Group, makers of Chicco branded infant products (Chicco), announced the completion of the acquisition of The Boppy Company with the aim of strengthening its position in the American market. Chicco is already a successful and well known brand in the United States with premium priced products available nationwide. This transaction is part of the strategy for profitable growth in international markets in early childhood products.

The Boppy Company, founded in 1990 by Susan Brown, the majority shareholder who finalized the deal with The Artsana Group, is most known for the Boppy(R) Feeding and Infant Support Pillow, winner of the American Baby "Best of" Award for five consecutive years. Boppy is the market leader with nearly 85 percent U.S. market share. This popularity places the brand among the top 10 brands of infant products.

The Boppy Company, based in Golden, Colorado, employs 24 people. Details of the acquisition were not released.

St. Charles Capital, a Denver investment banking firm, represented The Boppy Company in this transaction.

Fineurop Soditic acted as a financial advisor to the Artsana Group.

For more company and specific product information, visit www.chiccousa.com or www.boppy.com.

The Artsana Group

The Artsana Group, founded in 1946 by Knight of Labor Pietro Catelli, generated in 2007 a total turnover of 1.426 billion euros, divided in 2 sectors: Baby and Health and Beauty. Originally a family business, over time the Group has grown into a multinational company and is present around the world with roughly 8,000 employees, 10 production units in Europe and 19 branches, 13 of which are European and 6 others located in greater developed nations, with a network of dealers and distributors in over 100 countries.

Among its main labels, the Group, with headquarters in Grandate (Como), includes: Chicco and Prenatal for the Baby sector; Pic, Serenity, Control, Lycia and Korff for the Health and Beauty sector.

The Decision to Acquire the Leading American Company Represents an
Integral Part of the Group's International Strengthening Strategy in
Products for Early Childhood