U-Power Acquires CERVA Group, Building a Pan-European PPE Powerhouse

Italian group U-Power completed its acquisition of CERVA Group, one of the leading European suppliers of workwear and personal protective equipment. The deal, which cleared regulatory approvals and closed in late March 2026, creates a pan-European group with combined sales of nearly €500 million and a commercial presence in over 60 markets.

U-Power, based in Paruzzaro (Novara), built its European reputation as a safety and work shoe manufacturer. The company is recognized as a leader in safety footwear, particularly in Italy, France, and Spain. The binding agreement to acquire 100% of CERVA was signed last year, targeting one of the leading players in the PPE market based in Jeneč, Czech Republic, just outside Prague. U-Power itself was acquired in September 2023 by Renaissance Partners, an investment company specializing in medium-sized family businesses in Italy, with founder and CEO Franco Uzzeni retaining a 30 percent stake.

Before the acquisition, CERVA operated 12 branches across 32 markets, including Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, the Benelux countries, and Scandinavia including Finland, employing around 550 people, with warehouse space of approximately 96,000 square meters and annual revenue exceeding €221 million in 2025. While U-Power built its identity around safety and work footwear, CERVA generates around 80 percent of its revenue from its own brands: Cerva, Panda, and Gloves Pro. Additional key brands in the CERVA portfolio include LITZ, OS, VEKTOR, Fridrich&Fridrich, and Hygotrendy.

The strategic logic here is geographic as much as it is product-driven. U-Power's stronghold sits in Western Europe, particularly Italy, France, and Spain, while CERVA is deeply rooted in Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe, specializing in workwear, gloves, and other protective equipment. The integration is intended to promote the expansion of U-Power footwear in CERVA's core markets, enable the development of new collections in the glove and workwear sectors, and jointly optimize production and logistics resources.

Franco Uzzeni framed the deal in terms of both scale and product breadth: "The portfolio of the two companies is considered one of the most comprehensive in the PPE and occupational safety sector," and in his own words, "This operation unites two excellent and complementary entities, creating a pan-European leader with an unmatched portfolio of brands and products. Together, we will be able to accelerate growth, enter new markets, and offer our customers an even more comprehensive and innovative offering, while keeping quality, safety, and sustainability at the forefront."

CERVA will continue to operate under its established brand and maintain its existing distribution network, customers, and partner relationships across Europe. CERVA Executive Director Miroslav Rous called the move "a natural step in the company's further development," adding that the partnership opens new possibilities in product portfolio expansion, knowledge-sharing, and further growth across European markets.

Investments in product development and innovation are part of the next phase, with CERVA already preparing new collections of workwear and protective equipment planned for release later this year. For U-Power, which currently supplies over 10,000 specialist retailers in more than 50 countries, the CERVA acquisition is not just about adding revenue; it's about converting a footwear-first identity into a full head-to-toe PPE platform capable of competing across every segment of a rapidly consolidating European market.