Key Takeaways
- • Platinum Equity has signed a definitive agreement to sell De Wave Group, a Genoa-based marine interiors specialist serving the cruise and yacht industries, with closing expected by end of 2026; financial terms were not disclosed.
- • During Platinum's ownership since October 2019, De Wave more than doubled both revenue and EBITDA while building a backlog exceeding €1 billion, demonstrating significant operational value creation despite the cruise industry's pandemic-driven disruption.
- • De Wave provides integrated design, engineering, manufacturing, project management, installation, and after-sales services across the vessel lifecycle, positioning it as a diversified marine systems provider rather than a single-product supplier.
- • Platinum Equity executed a decisive leadership transition by elevating Riccardo Pompili to Group CEO during the pandemic's initial phases, followed by strategic management appointments that stabilized and grew the business through Europe's most severe industry disruption.
- • The transaction underscores Platinum Equity's operational investment model in Italy and its ability to create enterprise value through management restructuring and organic growth during extreme market stress.
Summary
Platinum Equity announced on September 8, 2026, the signing of a definitive agreement to divest De Wave Group, a leading integrated marine interior and technical systems provider headquartered in Genoa, Italy. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is anticipated to close by year-end 2026. No financial terms were disclosed.
De Wave operates across the full vessel lifecycle, delivering design, engineering, manufacturing, project management, onboard installation, and after-sales services to shipowners and shipyards in the cruise and yacht segments. The company's service scope encompasses newbuilds, refits, ship repair, and maintenance activities, positioning it as an end-to-end marine systems integrator rather than a point-solution provider.
Platinum Equity acquired De Wave in October 2019, entering the business at a moment of apparent stability. Within months, however, the global cruise industry entered an unprecedented contraction as operators suspended sailings and postponed newbuild and refit investments—a period that would test both the business model and management team. During this ownership period, De Wave more than doubled revenue and EBITDA while expanding its international footprint and accumulating a backlog exceeding €1 billion, metrics that reflect material operational value creation through severe industry headwinds.
The company's recovery hinged on decisive management action. Platinum Equity elevated Riccardo Pompili to Group CEO and, working closely with him, orchestrated strategic leadership hires and internal promotions during the acute phase of the pandemic. Louis Samson, Co-President of Platinum Equity, noted that the firm recognized De Wave as "a technically strong business with the potential to become a more integrated global leader," and that Pompili and his team "showed great leadership" in rebuilding the business through the crisis. The transaction closing by end-2026 allows Platinum to exit the investment following a multi-year operational transformation and substantial EBITDA expansion.
De Wave operates across the full vessel lifecycle, delivering design, engineering, manufacturing, project management, onboard installation, and after-sales services to shipowners and shipyards in the cruise and yacht segments. The company's service scope encompasses newbuilds, refits, ship repair, and maintenance activities, positioning it as an end-to-end marine systems integrator rather than a point-solution provider.
Platinum Equity acquired De Wave in October 2019, entering the business at a moment of apparent stability. Within months, however, the global cruise industry entered an unprecedented contraction as operators suspended sailings and postponed newbuild and refit investments—a period that would test both the business model and management team. During this ownership period, De Wave more than doubled revenue and EBITDA while expanding its international footprint and accumulating a backlog exceeding €1 billion, metrics that reflect material operational value creation through severe industry headwinds.
The company's recovery hinged on decisive management action. Platinum Equity elevated Riccardo Pompili to Group CEO and, working closely with him, orchestrated strategic leadership hires and internal promotions during the acute phase of the pandemic. Louis Samson, Co-President of Platinum Equity, noted that the firm recognized De Wave as "a technically strong business with the potential to become a more integrated global leader," and that Pompili and his team "showed great leadership" in rebuilding the business through the crisis. The transaction closing by end-2026 allows Platinum to exit the investment following a multi-year operational transformation and substantial EBITDA expansion.
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