Launch of the float restoration operations for Costamp Group has started. In fact, the company closes the summer with an important accelerated bookbuilding procedure for its protagonist Co.Stamp Srl. Invest Italy SIM, as bookrunner, has completed the sale of 1,849,200 Costamp shares equal to 4.35% of the share capital of the same for a total value of 5.55 million euro. An operation already announced in the bid document published on March 29th, 2018 for the mandatory tender offer promoted on the Modelleria Brambilla shares, which ended successfully. This was explained by Marco Corti, Costamp Group CEO, and Matteo Pontello, managing director of Invest Italy SIM, and which gives the go ahead to a process aimed at increasing the opening of share capital to the market. What were the strengths that have led to the success of the sales operation? Corti: We are very satisfied with the results achieved with the accelerated bookbuilding procedure. This was a complex operation, conducted in a market context that is not simple, with the spread returning to higher levels than in previous months. On the same days when we witnessed the launch from government bonds, the sale of our shares had a very positive response. Thanks to the great professionalism of Invest Italy SIM we have started a process aimed at expanding the scope of investors. We are certain that the fact that we sold the shares at the same price at which we purchased them with the integration of Modelleria Brambilla, at 3 euros, has also had a positive on the market. Pontello: The sales operation mainly involved foreign investors, an aspect for us of great value. Convincing these investors involved different elements. First of all the industrial leadership that Costamp Group has in its sector, the ability to have product innovation in addition to international openness. How much has the 'made in Italy' brand contributed to the operation and the business history of Costamp Group? Corti: We operate in a sector in which only today 'made in Italy' begins to have an added value. Our productions are considered in the same way as German ones, even if the latter still maintains a different kind of level. Costamp Group's business history has been built on different pillars, from reliability to proximity to the customer. Pontello: From the financial point of view, on the other hand, the subject changes radically, where, in fact, 'made in Italy' has been a decisive element in the dialogue with foreign investors. Costamp Group is an example of Italian excellence, a leader in the manufacturing sector which is the main national production sector. Moreover, it is a company devoted to exports, which makes dialogue with foreign countries an important strength. Precisely this element has made the difference. In fact, for investors, the nature of the Costamp Group activities considerably reduces the risk, compared to companies active exclusively in the national territory. What are the main reference markets? Corti: We work with major global car manufacturers. We are present in all countries that are involved in the automotive industry: Germany, Poland, United States, China, India, France, Romania. Without forgetting Italy. 2018 was an important year for the company, from the integration with Modelleria Brambilla, to listing. What are the next challenges? Corti: We are currently working to complete the integration which, from an industrial point of view, is at 90%. In the last few days we have received an important order from BMW, with a value of 20% higher than those previously commissioned by Modelleria alone. A positive confirmation of the strategy that we have chosen to grow our business and our company. We performed a market analysis that showed that there are further growth margins in four countries. Therefore, from September, we will work to increase the penetration rate in Germany, Canada, China and Mexico.
