Fontana to double in the US with the purchase of Mnp Corporation
Five plants, 1,000 employees surveyed: the Lombardy group's revenues thus reach 1.3 billion
by Luca Orlando
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3' min read
3' min read
In March India, now the United States. A few weeks after the acquisition of Right Tight Fasteners, Fontana Gruppo relaunches with another, larger operation, taking over the control of Mnp Corporation, one of the largest North American manufacturers of clamping systems. A heavy acquisition, bringing as much as five plants, a thousand employees, and an additional 350 million in revenues in one of the world's key markets.
"This is an operation that we have been working on for over a year," explains Fontana Group CEO Giuseppe Fontana, "and therefore has no specific connection with the tariffs risk and Trump's choices. It is actually the continuation of our strategy of getting closer to the markets, a direct localisation that is crucial for us to be able to serve our customers better. With Mnp there are good complementarities both in terms of production and customers, with limited overlaps, an ideal partner to grow further in that market'.
With this operation, Fontana, which closed 2024 at 850 million in revenues, projects itself well beyond that threshold, to 1.3 billion, reaching a perimeter of 6,000 employees spread over 26 factories, half of which are now located in the United States, the group's first market, which is now worth half of total revenues.
"The year 2025 is indeed a turning point for us," adds the entrepreneur, "just as it was in 2014 with other acquisitions. It is an important dimensional leap, a path in which we believe, and in which we intend to continue, in our strategy of expansion into local markets. With this acquisition we will be able to guarantee a significant expansion of local production capacity while maintaining high quality standards and becoming the largest producer of fasteners in the American and world markets'.
The Fontana Group, founded in 1952, closed 2024 with revenues of 850 million, realising most of its business beyond its borders (Italy is worth about 10% of sales, a share that will fall further in light of recent acquisitions), concentrating in particular on clamping systems dedicated to the automotive sector, an extended area worth two-thirds of overall turnover. A position that is now strengthened by the acquisition of Mnp, which was also made on the basis of a 'genetic' affinity, taking into account the family matrix of the company, founded in 1970. "We have always known them as competitors," explains Fontana, "and they are a solid and respected reality, with a corporate culture similar to ours. They also have a strong presence in the automotive sector, as do we, with a key customer such as General Motors. The steel? As well as that of our sites is mostly bought in the US, a small share comes from Canada but the customs impact of the new tariffs will be limited for this reason'.
