Finnish Scanfil, Europe’s largest stock exchange-listed Electronics Manufacturing Service (EMS) company by turnover, has agreed to acquire Italian MB Elettronica from Cortona, Arezzo. This strategic merger creates a formidable European EMS provider with a global footprint, combining complementary strengths to drive growth and innovation.
Scanfil acquires MB Elettronica, forming a major EMS player.
Combined entity operates 16 factories across four continents.
MB adds 500 employees, increasing Scanfil’s workforce to 4,500.
MB’s expertise strengthens aerospace, healthcare, and transportation.
Cortona, Italy, becomes Scanfil’s Aerospace & Defense hub.
Deal expected to close in Q4 2025, boosting cross-selling.
The acquisition unites Scanfil’s 11 factories with MB Elettronica’s four in Italy, creating a network of 16 facilities across Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. With MB’s 500 employees joining Scanfil’s 4,000-strong workforce, the combined company enhances its global manufacturing and delivery capabilities. “I want to welcome all new employees and customers to the growing Scanfil family,” said Christophe Sut, CEO of Scanfil. “By joining forces, we create a European EMS powerhouse with a strong presence in Italy and Aerospace & Defense.”
Scanfil and MB Elettronica bring complementary services and customer bases, fostering cross-selling opportunities. MB’s expertise in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing and its strong presence in Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare & Medtech, and Transportation sectors add significant value. “MB and Scanfil have complementary offerings and customers, creating customer value through cross-selling,” noted Roberto Banelli, CEO of MB. MB’s Cortona headquarters will serve as Scanfil’s Aerospace & Defense competence center.
MB Elettronica, founded in 1961 by Francesco Banelli, reported a 2024 turnover of EUR 98.4 million and an EBIT margin of 6.9%. The acquisition, valued at a minimum of EUR 73 million with up to EUR 50 million in additional performance-based payments, leverages Scanfil’s EUR 780 million 2024 turnover and financial stability. “With the financial strength and global reach of Scanfil, MB will start a new growth journey,” said Banelli.
Both companies share a family-oriented entrepreneurial culture, aligning their operational values. “Scanfil has a family-owned background and MB is a family company. There is a similar dynamic in the operating cultures and entrepreneurship is highly valued,” said Banelli. The merger offers MB employees new career opportunities and customers enhanced global services, positioning the combined entity for sustained growth in the EMS market. “I started in 1961, and I am happy that together with my children we managed to bring the company to this level and employ more than 500 people,” said Francesco Banelli, founder of MB Elettronica.
The deal, expected to close in Q4 2025 pending regulatory approval, marks a significant step in Scanfil’s strategy to expand its industry-specific competencies and global presence, particularly in high-growth sectors like Aerospace & Defense.
Scanfil plc is Europe’s largest listed provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS), with a turnover of EUR 780 million in 2024. The company serves global sector leaders in the customer segments of Industrial, Energy & Cleantech, and Medtech & Life Science. Scanfil’s services include design services, prototype manufacture, design for manufacturability (DFM) services, test development, supply chain and logistics services, circuit board assembly, manufacture of subsystems and components, and complex systems integration services. Scanfil’s objective is to grow customer value by improving their competitiveness and by being their primary supply chain partner and long-term manufacturing partner internationally. Scanfil’s longest-standing customer account has continued for more than 40 years. The company has global supply capabilities and eleven production facilities across four continents.
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