Fortidia (or the “Company”), a leading global platform providing shipping, fulfilment and marketing services, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement for BC Partners, a leading international investment firm, to acquire a majority stake in the Company from the founding Fiorelli family and funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”). Fortidia’s Chairman and CEO Paolo Fiorelli will retain a significant stake in the business and continue in his current role, working in partnership with BC Partners to accelerate the Company’s next phase of growth. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Milan (Italy), Fortidia is a global leader in providing shipping, fulfilment, print, and marketing solutions, primarily to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (“MSMEs”). Operating under multiple complementary franchised brands, including – among others – Mail Boxes Etc., AlphaGraphics, World Options and PostNet, Fortidia plays a pivotal role in the high-growth parcel, packing, shipping and fulfilment value chain, as well as providing outstanding marketing solutions. The Company acts as a key player in the end-to-end logistics and complementary business services arenas and is growing rapidly to serve its on-line and off-line customers in a highly fragmented global market.
Paolo Fiorelli, Founder and CEO of Fortidia, said: “This is an exciting new chapter for Fortidia. We take great pride in the global network and trusted brands we have established over the last thirty years. The team at BC Partners is the ideal strategic ally to accelerate our next phase of growth; they have a strong reputation and track record in Italy, and their values, deep knowledge, and operational expertise will be key to unlocking our full potential. We share a clear vision: to expand our global footprint, enhance our services, and deliver exceptional value to our customers through our global network of franchise partners. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Mario Adario and the Oaktree team for their partnership over the past years.”
Paolo Notarnicola, Partner, Co-head of Services and member of the Management Committee, BC Partners, said: “We are delighted by the opportunity to partner with Paolo and his team at Fortidia. This investment reflects our continued focus on partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs in the route-based services sub-sector – a space we know incredibly well through investments in companies such as GFL, GardaWorld, and GES, and where we see continued long-term tailwinds. Fortidia’s resilient business model, strong franchise network, and compelling growth trajectory makes it a definitive ‘defensive growth’ business and a natural fit within BC Partners’ portfolio.”
Marco Castelli, Partner, BC Partners, added: “This investment showcases how our differentiated sourcing model – anchored in deep sector expertise and local networks – enables us to source attractive, bilateral opportunities and position ourselves as the partner of choice. Looking ahead, we plan to work in close partnership with the Fortidia team and to apply the proven playbooks we have developed over the years to help grow the business both locally and internationally – enhancing the client offering, expanding Fortidia’s network internationally, and pursuing M&A opportunities in a highly fragmented market.”
Mario Adario, Managing Director, Oaktree, said: “Fortidia is an extraordinary company with still a lot of potential to be realized. We would like to thank Paolo Fiorelli and his team: it was a great honour to work with them to more than triple the profitability of the Company. This outcome is the result of a shared vision, strong alignment and mutual trust. We are confident that Paolo and team will continue this growth trajectory with their new partner”.
Fortidia will continue to operate under its existing management team and brand structure, maintaining its strong focus on serving customers worldwide, primarily through its network of franchise partners.
This transaction marks the first investment in BC Partners Fund XII, which will follow the same sector-led strategy as prior funds, focused on building a diverse portfolio of defensive growth companies in the mid-market. It also marks BC Partners’ fifth investment in 2025, following investments this year in Biogaran, IGS GeboJagema, PetLabCo., and GES, and builds on BC Partners’ extensive track record of investing in Italy, having deployed over €3.3bn across 17 transactions since its founding in 1986.
Jefferies acted as exclusive financial advisor to Fortidia and its shareholders, with a team led by Jefferies’ Head of Italy Investment Banking Mauro Premazzi. Fortidia was also advised by Sidley Austin LLP together with PedersoliGattai and Paolo Ludovici at GPBL. BC Partners was advised by Latham & Watkins, Kirkland & Ellis, Facchini Rossi Michelutti, PwC and Bain and Co.
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About BC Partners
BC Partners is a leading investment firm with circa €40 billion in assets under management across private equity, private debt, and real estate strategies. Established in 1986, BC Partners has played an active role for nearly four decades in developing the European buyout market. Today BC Partners’ integrated transatlantic investment teams work from offices in Europe and North America and are aligned across our four core sectors: TMT, Healthcare, Services & Industrials, and Food. Since its foundation, BC Partners has completed over 130 private equity investments and is currently investing its eleventh private equity buyout fund. For further information, please visit https://www.bcpartners.com/
About Fortidia
Fortidia is the brand identity of MBE Worldwide S.p.A. – a company headquartered in Italy – and its affiliates. Fortidia is a global commerce enabler for MSMEs and consumers thanks to its platform including brands providing fulfillment, shipping, marketing and print solutions: Mail Boxes Etc. (outside the U.S. and Canada.), World Options, PostNet, PACK & SEND, AlphaGraphics, Multicopy, Kwik Kopy Australia, Print Speak, GEL Proximity and Spedingo. In 2024, its platform – including 3,200+ Business Solutions Centers in 57 countries with over 14,000 associates – served 850k business customers worldwide generating €1.45 bln (US$1.65 bln) of System-wide Gross Revenue.
