De’Longhi has built its appliance empire by snapping up brands for over four decades. Starting with Supercalor heaters in 1979 and Elba ovens in 1986, its strategic growth has hinged on absorbing companies that expand its product range or reveal market synergies. The 1987 Ariagel purchase added air conditioning systems, while Simac Micromax (1995) and Kenwood (2001) pushed the company into kitchen gadgets and China-based production. Each deal broadened its portfolio and accessed new consumer segments, blending innovation with operational efficiencies.
By the late 1980s, De’Longhi accelerated global reach through subsidiaries in the U.S., UK, France, and Japan. The company solidified its climate control reputation with the Pinguino air conditioning system, launched in the early 1990s, which quickly became a bestseller across Europe. Acquiring Kenwood’s Chinese factory in 2001 let it cut costs while scaling output. Later moves, like perpetual rights to Braun’s appliances (2012) and Nutribullet (2017), reinforced its presence in kitchens worldwide. The 2021 full buyout of Eversys—a Swiss coffee-tech firm—tightened its grip on high-end espresso machines.
Expanding through 1980s subsidiaries, De’Longhi scaled with Kenwood (2001), Braun (2012), Nutribullet (2017), and Eversys (2021) acquisitions to cut costs and dominate premium espresso markets.
Coffee now drives major growth. In 2024, De’Longhi paid $374 million for a 41% stake in La Marzocco, enhancing its premium espresso offerings. The merger establishes a clearer corporate structure under De’Longhi Industrial S.A., with La Marzocco joining Eversys in a unified professional coffee equipment division. This followed the Eversys deal, linking superautomatic machines with La Marzocco’s cult status among baristas. The company mirrors rivals banking on specialty coffee’s rising popularity, targeting consumers willing to pay top dollar for café-quality gear.
Behind the scenes, seven factories across Italy, China, and elsewhere balance Italian design with globalized production. Partnerships like India’s Orient Electric (2018) help localize sales strategies. Over 30 subsidiaries funnel products to 75 countries, with international sales generating 75% of revenue.
Recent splashes include the €420 million purchase of Capital Brands (2020), adding mixers to the lineup beyond coffee makers and heaters. De’Longhi’s appetite for big-ticket buys reflects its playbook: acquire, integrate, repeat. Half-year revenue hit €1.58 billion in H1 2024, driven by premium coffee machines and expanded categories.
The company credits its steady stream of targeted acquisitions—over 40 years—for stitching together a brand portfolio that adapts to shifting consumer tastes. With Italian roots and global scale, it shows no signs of slowing its deal-making momentum.
