07.08.2010 CASTIGLIONI FAMILY BUY BACK MV AGUSTA FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Claudio and Giovanni Castiglioni

Claudio and Giovanni Castiglioni (above), through their family holding company have repurchased from Harley Davidson 100 percent of the shares of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. which owns historic brands MV Agusta and Cagiva.

Claudio and Giovanni Castiglioni, through their family holding company have repurchased from Harley Davidson 100 percent of the shares of MV Agusta Motor S.p.A. which owns historic brands MV Agusta and Cagiva. Harley-Davidson, the latest in a line of owners, announced in October 2009 its intention to get rid of the loss-making MV Agusta division to concentrate on its core business and brand.

Along with Giovanni Castiglioni, the company will be headed by Mr. Massimo Bordi, a well known Italian manager. A 62-year-old engineer, Bordi took Ducati to success during the years when that company was owned by the Castiglionis and continued to manage it successfully under the ownership of Texas Pacific Group.

Since 2003 Massimo Bordi has been the CEO of Same Deutz Fahr, contributing largely to the running of the company. Massimo Bordi commented that "MV Agusta has full capacity to once again become a major player in the high luxury brand motor bikes, this brand is one of the most recognized worldwide. We will implement a number of reorganization and managerial actions in the near future. Both the current and new models under development have a very strong character, great innovative features and a very unique design, I have no doubts about their future success."

In connection with the repurchase transaction Lazard and Co. have acted as the financial advisor along with counsel Alessandro Varrenti (CBA) and Giuseppe Galeano whom provided legal and tax assistance in conjunction with family counsellors Giuseppe Carteni (Leadlaw), Andrea Lanata and Sergio Caramella.

Claudio Castiglioni will continue as chairman, and will concentrate on the development of the new products. Upon signing the agreement with Harley-Davidson, Claudio Castiglioni stated "MV Agusta is the crown jewel of Italian motorcycles, I am thrilled to have completed this transaction. I have already won once together with Massimo Bordi, we made the most beautiful bikes in the world and we will continue with this tradition."
 

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