DIESEL

DIESEL, best known for its fashionable jeans won the large enterprise award in this category. In its verdict, the jury pointed to the company's "rapid and continuous dimensional growth." It praised DIESEL's capacity to target a selective clientele with the innovative concept of luxurious casual wear, which can be at once exclusive and inclusive, but never for the masses, showing flexibility and rapidity in interpreting the market’s needs. The brand had gradually reinforced its identity toward building "a life philosophy," which had evolved into a true “Diesel” style. Other competitors had unsuccessfully tried to imitate its strategy.

GEOX

Another clothing company, footwear manufacturer GEOX , walked away with the SME award in this category. The jury saw GEOX as a role model in terms of originality of concept originality and for the "simple and efficient type of business," which had allowed the company to reach record sales figures and continuous growth. "Geox' success is proof of the importance of investment in research and development and intellectual capital in an extremely important sector for the Italian economy, that of foot wear and clothing," the jury brief said.

INDESIT

Household appliance giant, INDESIT won the prize for outstanding European strategy for large companies. Its international leadership role and a consistent presence in Europe was highlighted by the jury in its decision. INDESIT's Europe strategy was inspired by attention to quality with flexible usage and design and thus represented a "virtuous example for the growth of Italy’s industry in the global market," according to the jury brief.

ALI Group

SME winner in this category was the ALI Group, which designs, manufactures, supplies and services a complete range of equipment for the foodservice industry. Over time, the jury noted, the company had established a " mature international presence," with the aim of progressively consolidating its position in the European market as a platform for leadership in the world. Its growth was attributed to the acquisition of 48 companies with as many different brands all highly specialized in their own sectors. Despite this variety, the ALI Group had managed to sustain cohesion within the firm, while maintaining single brand identities.

UniCredit
Group

The UniCredit Group, last year's winner in the New Europe category, claimed the top prize in the Cross-border M&A category this year, largely due to its handling of the HypoVereinsbank operation. Despite the organizational differences and divergence in the business model, UniCredit's management had successfully steered the merger with HypoVereinsbank. The jury credited this success to the banking group's proven experience in the field of acquisitions. According to the panel of judges "the Unicredit Group can now face the great challenge of exploiting the assets of this new business reality, toward the goal of achieving beneficial competition among major global financial groups."

Gruppo
CAMPARI

Gruppo CAMPARI , the well-known spirits producer had focused on international growth over the years examined, acquiring three of the most important scotch/whisky brands in the world. Members of the jury praised its " extraordinary finance operations," which had allowed the company to assume a leadership position in marketing and distribution, consolidating its position in Europe and America.

Lottomatica

Lottery operator, Lottomatica was awarded the evening's Grand Prix for its " extraordinary" acquisition of a very large US company, thus diversifying its business. In the jury's eyes, the company had "represented an example of strategic leadership and medium-to-long term vision." The company had mapped out a plan for international development "with a brave choice, from which the European business community will be able learn."