Italian power renter acquired by UK private equity

Italian power rental firm Powering Srl has been majority acquired by private equity business Arcus Infrastructure Partners. The price for the 51% shareholding has not been disclosed.

Powering, founded in 2011 and based in Fragagnano in the province of Taranto in southeast Italy, rents a fleet of more than 1500 generators from 55 locations in Italy.

Powering Srl has a rental fleet of more than 1500 generators. (Image: Powering srl)

Arcus is a UK-based private equity business that manages investments with an aggregate value of €23 billion. It is active in equipment rental through its majority ownership of WorkDry International, the owner of Selwood, Siltbuster and Holland Pump.

Piero Giancano, founder and CEO of Powering, said the partnership with Arcus represented a “fundamental milestone” for the business; “With Arcus we share a strategic vision aimed at innovation and sustainability, and we are certain that this collaboration will allow us to further raise our service standards, guaranteeing energy continuity to Italian businesses and communities and beyond.”

The company said the deal would strengthen its position as a leader in the energy rental sector in Italy and allow it to respond “more effectively to the challenges of the energy transition.”

Stefano Brugnolo, partner and head of energy at Arcus, said the deal had been made after several years of research into the European energy rental market; “The company’s role in providing critical energy solutions to communities and industries resonates deeply with our commitment to investments that drive both economic growth and positive social impact.

“We see clear opportunities to further enhance Powering ’s business potential and ESG credentials through targeted asset management initiatives, a key pillar of our investment strategy.”

Brugnolo added; “We look forward to partnering with the Giancano family and the Powering team and working together to unlock the next phase of growth for this highly dynamic business.”

Powering said it had grown steadily based on an approach that included direct ownership of its genset fleet, efficient logistics for deliveries and refueling, and the use of proprietary IT systems for monitoring and managing operations; “This organisation allows the company to be the only operator in Italy able to guarantee two-hour response times, a key factor for utilities and businesses that need immediate energy in emergency situations or grid maintenance.”

Powering CEO Piero Giancano added; “I would like to thank my family and my brother Francesco who have been at my side from the very beginning of this wonderful adventure, and Dr. Francesco Agrusti for having contributed decisively to the success of the operation.”