Private equity giant CVC Capital Partners has reached an agreement to acquire the Italian industrial automation specialist Clevertech. The deal involves purchasing the company from REFA, the family holding company owned by the Reggiani family. This transaction will be executed through CVC's Fund IX, marking a significant expansion into the automation sector.

Founder Giuseppe Reggiani will maintain his leadership as chairman and chief executive officer. Several family members will continue to manage sales, finance, and technology departments. To ensure long-term interests remain aligned, the Reggiani family is reinvesting capital to retain a minority stake in the business following the acquisition.

Regulatory approvals must be secured before the transaction reaches completion, which is targeted for the end of 2026. This structure allows the industrial group to leverage private equity capital while preserving the specialized expertise of its founding leadership. The deal transitions the firm from a family-held entity to a PE-backed growth platform.