“Marelli Motori has performed very well during the period of our ownership since 2008, which is a credit to the hard work of its management team,” says Melrose chief executive, Simon Peckham. “Following a period of investment and international expansion, Marelli Motori is now well placed for the next stage of its development under Carlyle’s ownership.”

In the year ending December 2012, Marelli Motori recorded sales of €149.1m, generating an operating profit of €18.9m and an EBITDA of €22.2m. On 31 December 2012, the company’s gross assets were worth €125.8m.

Marelli Motori, founded in 1891, serves global markets for power generation, marine, oil & gas and industrial manufacturing. It sells motors in ratings from 0.12kW–6.4MW and generators from 15kVA–9MVA. The range includes asynchronous motors and hazardous area motors (in IP55, IP56, IP65 protection versions) in ratings from 380V­–13.8kV. Outside Italy, Marelli Motori has operations in the UK, Germany, Malaysia, South Africa and the US.