The company – Who is Flor Sistemi?
Founded in 1993, Flor Sistemi provides automation software tailored to large-scale plant and flower retailers, as well as food producers and distributors. Its more than 1,000 customers use its software to drive efficiencies in warehouse management, production, and sales.
A family business
Davide Lucente was employee number one at Flor Systemi after his father and three associates founded the company 30 years ago. Over the years, the other founders moved on, leaving Davide and his father at the helm.
They worked hand in hand, supporting each other through thick and thin. Following the sad loss of his father a decade ago, Davide continued to drive the company’s success. As CEO, with help from other family members and a team of talented collaborators, the company has diversified into new markets and doubled in size and opened another regional office to become one of Italy’s leading businesses in its space.
Perusing growth ambitions
Wanting to fulfil his and his father’s shared vision for growth and international expansion, Davide began to consider how he could scale the business into new markets and build out new functions such as marketing. While there was money in the bank for acquisition, the company lacked the knowledge and experience to see it through.
Investment would help, and over the years, various investors approached him, but none felt like the right fit.
Davide Lucente, CEO at Flor Sistemi: “Other investors clearly saw us as just a number. Our history, values ambition didn’t factor. Upliift, however, understood us and shared our long-term vision. We knew they would be a true life-long partner – even after I’ve gone.”
However, in conversations with investors, Davide realised the value of joining a larger network of organisations that could share knowledge, expertise, and people.
Davide Lucente, CEO at Flor Sistemi: “We were a small boat in a very big ocean. By becoming part of a bigger fleet, we could help those around us, and in return, they could help us. All boats rise.”
Enter Upliift
Where other investors wanted to buy the whole company, Upliift stood out by prioritising collaboration over outright ownership. Upliift was keen to retain Davide’s knowledge and expertise, and he continues to run the business today as both CEO and minority shareholder.
Unlike other investors, Upliift resonated with Flor Sistemi’s ethos and long-term objectives. Davide found Upliift to be a genuine partner committed to preserving the company’s legacy and fostering sustainable growth beyond his tenure.
Davide Lucente, CEO at Flor Sistemi: “Many entrepreneurs can feel lonely. My father and I were a strong team, and we never operated alone. Now Upliift is able to provide that support, sounding board and specialist expertise that can drive growth in the right direction.”
Local support
Upliift recognises the significance of cultural nuance, regional market dynamics and language. That is why it has provided Flor Sistemi with a dedicated team on the ground in Milan to support the business and help effect change.
Upliift’s local team has first-hand experience selling companies, so it understands Davide’s journey and can bring new perspectives. Its network of companies allows greater support, and its capacity for strategic acquisition can drive rapid growth.
Davide Lucente, CEO at Flor Sistemi: “We look forward to working with Upliift on acquisitions that broaden our offer to customers and help us capitalise on new market opportunities.”
Life after acquisition
By empowering its existing team and capitalising on emerging opportunities, Flor Sistemi is set to go from strength to strength, including making additional acquisitions guided by the M&A expertise of Upliift. The partnership demonstates how a shared vision and values can fuel growth and returns for the long term.
