Brookfield to Acquire Fosber

Rhea-AI Summary

Brookfield (BBU) agreed to acquire Fosber, a global designer and manufacturer of high-speed corrugating machinery, from Guangdong Dongfang Precision in a carve-out valued at approximately $900 million. The business, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Lucca, Italy, has operations in Italy, the U.S., and China and provides machinery, parts, maintenance and digital monitoring for corrugated box manufacturers.

Brookfield will fund the deal with about $480 million of equity from Brookfield Capital Partners, with affiliate Brookfield Business Partners expected to invest roughly $170 million. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2026.

Positive

• Transaction value of approximately $900 million
• Equity commitment of about $480 million from Brookfield Capital Partners
• Affiliate investment of about $170 million from Brookfield Business Partners
• Global footprint with operations in Italy, U.S., and China supports scaling

Negative

• Deal conditional on customary regulatory approvals, creating closing uncertainty into 2026

Insights

Private Equity Strategist

Brookfield to buy Fosber for $900 million; equity funding shows material commitment and cross‑border scale play.

Brookfield acquires a specialized corrugating machinery maker headquartered in Lucca, Italy, in a carve‑out valued at $900 million, with ~$480 million of equity backing and an affiliate committing ~$170 million. The deal leverages Brookfield’s private equity buyout model: buy a market leader, apply operational and digital transformation, and expand after‑sales and service revenue streams across Europe, the U.S., and China.

Execution depends on customary regulatory approvals and effective integration of a carved‑out business spanning multiple jurisdictions. Key risks include regulatory timing, transferring operational control from Guangdong Dongfang Precision, and realizing incremental service and digital revenue without disrupting manufacturing or customer relationships.

Watch for closing progress and regulatory clearances in 2026, initial integration milestones such as centralized service offerings and digital monitoring rollouts, and evidence of after‑sales revenue growth over the next 12–24 months.

Acquisition of an essential industrial technology provider to the packaging industry 

Transaction draws on Brookfield’s deep private equity expertise in industrial carve-outs

NEW YORK, Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield, through its private equity strategy, today announced that it has agreed to acquire Fosber, a global leader in the design and production of advanced machinery, parts, and services for the corrugated packaging industry. The transaction, a carve-out from Guangdong Dongfang Precision, values the business at approximately $900 million.

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Lucca, Italy, Fosber designs and manufactures high-speed corrugating machinery and provides vital aftersales parts, maintenance and digital monitoring solutions to box manufacturers worldwide. With operations across Italy, the U.S., and China, Fosber is recognized for its innovative product and technology development, and strong customer service.

Anuj Ranjan, CEO of Brookfield’s Private Equity Group, said: “Fosber is a market-leading industrial technology business that provides vital products and services to the packaging industry. The transaction demonstrates our strategy of investing in industrial champions headquartered in Europe, and with Fosber’s extensive operations in the U.S. and Asia, the ability to draw on our global platform. We look forward to partnering with the Fosber team, bringing our operational expertise and scale to accelerate digital transformation and expand its after-sales and service offerings as it continues to grow worldwide.”

Brookfield’s investment through its Brookfield Capital Partners strategy is being funded with approximately $480 million of equity, of which its affiliate Brookfield Business Partners is expected to invest approximately $170 million. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2026.

Brookfield’s private equity business brings deep global expertise in industrials and manufacturing, developed over two decades of building and operationally transforming businesses that provide vital products and services. Previous industrial investments include Chemelex, a global leader in electric heat tracing systems, Clarios, the global leader in advanced low-voltage batteries, and GrafTech, a global manufacturer of graphite electrodes. Brookfield’s private equity strategy in Europe focuses on unlocking potential in European market leaders to reposition them as global champions.

About Brookfield

Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM) is a leading global alternative asset manager, headquartered in New York, with over $1 trillion of assets under management across infrastructure, renewable power and transition, private equity, real estate, and credit. We invest client capital for the long-term with a focus on real assets and essential service businesses that form the backbone of the global economy. We offer a range of alternative investment products to investors around the world — including public and private pension plans, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds, financial institutions, insurance companies and private wealth investors. We draw on Brookfield’s heritage as an owner and operator to invest for value and generate strong returns for our clients, across economic cycles.

For more information, please visit our website at www.brookfield.com

Brookfield Private Equity

Brookfield’s private equity business, which manages approximately $150 billion of assets under management, focuses on driving operational transformation in businesses providing essential products and services.

Brookfield Business Partners (NYSE: BBU; TSX: BBU.UN), is the flagship listed vehicle of Brookfield’s private equity group. It is a global business services and industrials company focused on owning and operating high-quality businesses that provide essential products and services and benefit from a strong competitive position. For more information, please visit https://bbu.brookfield.com.

Media:		Investor Relations:
Marie Fuller                                                Email: marie.fuller@brookfield.com    Tel: +44 207 408 8375		Alan Fleming Email: alan.fleming@brookfield.com Tel: +1 (416) 645 2736

                                                      

                                

FAQ

What is Brookfield acquiring in the Fosber deal and what is the price for BBU?

Brookfield is acquiring Fosber, a corrugating machinery and services provider, for approximately $900 million.

How much equity is Brookfield investing in the Fosber acquisition (BBU)?

Brookfield’s private equity strategy is funding about $480 million of equity, with affiliate Brookfield Business Partners expected to invest ~$170 million.

When is the Fosber acquisition expected to close for Brookfield (BBU)?

The transaction is expected to close in 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Where is Fosber headquartered and what operations will Brookfield (BBU) gain?

Fosber is headquartered in Lucca, Italy and operates across Italy, the U.S., and China, supplying machinery, parts, maintenance and digital monitoring.

What strategic benefits does Brookfield (BBU) cite for buying Fosber?

Brookfield said the deal fits its industrial carve-out strategy and aims to accelerate Fosber’s digital transformation and expand after-sales and service offerings.

Is the Fosber transaction for Brookfield (BBU) a carve-out and who is the seller?

Yes, the acquisition is a carve-out from Guangdong Dongfang Precision.