Vita: Investment plans following completion of I.M.P.E. S.p.A. acquisition

The Vita Group, a European flexible foam solutions provider, announced that it has begun a comprehensive multi-million euro investment programme following the completion of its purchase of Italian foam manufacturer I.M.P.E. S.p.A., based in Naples.

The acquisition of I.M.P.E. S.p.A. gives Vita a foothold in Italy, which is the second largest furniture producing country in Europe and one of its largest furniture exporters. (Source: The Vita Group)

According to Vita, this EUR 6.1 million acquisition completed earlier in April 2021 will enable the company – which employs 2,700 people across Europe and is headquartered in Manchester, UK – to gain an important foothold in Italy, which is the second largest furniture producing country in Europe and one of its largest furniture exporters.

The planned investments include replacing the existing foaming line with a brand new, state-of-the-art machine that is capable of producing the full range of comfort foams’, a skills development programme for all staff, as well as a number of potential investments in the site’s existing conversion capability.

The 40,000 m² Naples site includes a foaming department, tank farm, two conversion halls, three further warehouses, laboratories, offices, as well as extensive storage and transport space. A previous investment in R&D has the potential to be further enhanced in the future, as Vita determines its requirements for a fifth Innovation Centre focused around the furniture sector.

The Naples site includes a foaming department, tank farm, two conversion halls, three further warehouses, laboratories, offices, as well as extensive storage and transport space. (Source: The Vita Group)

Vita Italy will manufacture value added and differentiated polyurethane foam for the Italian furniture and bedding industry, as well as expanding the group’s trade links with the Americas and North Africa. The site, which currently has 32 employees and has production capabilities of 20,000 tonnes per annum, will enable Vita to release current production in Hungary and Romania to concentrate on further expansion in Eastern Europe and the Balkans region.

Operations are being overseen by business manager Radu Borsa, who has in-depth knowledge of the Italian furniture market through his experience as sales manager for Vita in this region. He will be supported by regional director Thomas Stachura. Additionally, The Vita Group is developing programmes to help the wider Vita Italy team develop their skill set and has completed recruitment of a financial controller and safety, health and environmental manager to boost the management team on-site and enhance safety at the site

Speaking on behalf of The Vita Group, Group CEO Ian Robb said: “We’re delighted to have completed this acquisition and to present Vita Italy to the world. Our investment and training programme is underway and we look forward to working closely with our new colleagues to take the Naples site from strength to strength, delivering innovative solutions to both new and existing customers in Italy and beyond.”

Vita Italy will manufacture value added and differentiated polyurethane foam for the Italian furniture and bedding industry. (Source: The Vita Group)

According to the company, the acquisition demonstrates The Vita Group’s continued commitment to growth and innovation. Major milestones in 2020 included foam capacity expansions in Lithuania, Poland and Romania, which are planned to come online in 2021. The capacity increases enable further added value investments into thriving new sectors, such as bedding (Bed in a Box) where the company has already committed to new technology processes and production equipment in the United Kingdom, France, Romania, and Germany.

The Vita Group develops, manufactures, and markets a wide range of flexible polyurethane foam, Talalay latex and flooring products. Its materials are used in products across a range of sectors, from bedding to office and household furniture, mobility markets and the significant new sectors of medical and hygiene.

www.thevitagroup.com