Calligaris Group, the leading Italian group in the global furniture industry, announced today that it has finalised the acquisition of 100% of Fatboy, the Dutch design brand. Fatboy, founded in Den Bosch
(The Netherlands) in 2002 and immediately identified with the iconic oversized beanbag chair by Finnish interior designer Jukka Setala, has become a leader in young and fun design in just a few years. A typically Dutch practical spirit and an international team are the ingredients of the company’s success.
Today the company has a turnover of more than 50 million euros with furniture, lamps, home accessories, garden furniture and, of course, the timeless beanbag.
With the acquisition of Fatboy, Calligaris Group adds an iconic brand to its portfolio and will benefit from Fatboy’s digital expertise and proven track record in omnichannel strategy. The Group also aims to become stronger in the Dutch company’s core outdoor segment, while Fatboy, with the support of Calligaris Group, aims to expand its global presence. Fatboy is the first non-Italian company to join the Calligaris Group, joining the Calligaris, Connubia, Ditre Italia and Luceplan brands.
“We have done a great job with Vendis Capital over the last four and a half years. We have managed
to increase sales and profits, grow the Fatboy brand and at the same time strengthen our organisation
and ways of working to ensure a solid company for the future. Partnering with Calligaris will help us continue our journey, allowing us to do what we do best: add a smile to life with our innovative and bold designs,” says Petra Vos, CEO of Fatboy.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Fatboy team who will bring their in-depth knowledge of the digital world and proven expertise in the outdoor industry to help us reach new heights,” says Stefano Rosa Uliana, CEO of Calligaris Group. “We are honoured to welcome such an iconic design brand to the Calligaris Groupe family and look forward to working together on the next phase of the Group’s evolution. Fatboy and I have been in sync since the beginning, and we have a lot in common, especially our focus on sustainability.
The acquisition of Fatboy is also part of the value creation strategy of Alpha, the pan-European private equity fund that acquired a majority stake in Calligaris Group in September 2018. Paolo Magni,
partner of Alphapartner in the Milan office that oversaw the transaction, said: “We are very happy
to welcome to Calligaris Group an iconic brand like Fatboy, which is characterised mainly by innovation, sustainability and significant exposure to digital channels. The transaction will allow us to develop important commercial and product synergies, as well as to take a further step in our project to create
an international and diversified leader in the furniture and lifestyle sector”.
