In the recent ION Influencers Fireside Chat, Giovanni Amodeo sits down with Emanuela Cisini, Partner at Investindustrial, to unpack how private equity can maximize productivity through a hybrid global-local approach. With responsibilities across the Middle East and Asia, and as Co-Head of Operational Improvement, Cisini brings a unique perspective on creating scalable, sustainable value in today’s complex international landscape.

Having started her career in leveraged finance with Citibank and Morgan Stanley, Cisini transitioned into private equity in 2017. Since then, she has been instrumental in shaping Investindustrial’s operational excellence platform, now supported by a team of 30 professionals focused on procurement, ESG, talent, financial optimization, and commercial strategy.

Key Topics Discussed:

Operational Value Creation Model
Cisini outlines how Investindustrial’s operational improvement team delivers tangible value across the portfolio—without charging portfolio companies. She emphasizes an aligned, partner-first approach rooted in respect for founders and management teams.

Global Reach, Local Precision
While Investindustrial operates globally, Cisini underscores the importance of tailoring strategies to local markets. From Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation to India’s and Southeast Asia’s emerging opportunities, localized execution is key to scaling global ambitions.

GCC: A Hotbed for Manufacturing & Growth
She highlights the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—especially Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman—as highly strategic for supply chain and manufacturing. Visionary plans like Saudi Vision 2030 are not just buzzwords—they’re driving real-world execution and opportunity.

Asia: Diversified Opportunity Landscape
Investindustrial sees China, Japan, and Southeast Asia as essential pillars of growth, particularly in sectors like automation and industrial machinery. India is also gaining attention as a dynamic, high-potential market.

Creating the Right Exit Strategy
Rather than waiting until exit time to drum up interest, her team fosters early awareness and partnerships, especially with sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East and Asia, to enable smoother and more profitable exits.

Final Takeaway:
Private equity success in today’s market lies in local partnership, long-term operational focus, and strategic global alignment. Investindustrial’s model reflects a forward-thinking, value-first PE approach with deep roots in industrial heritage and a modern outlook on cross-regional growth.

Key timestamps:

00:07 Introduction to Iron Influencers Fireside Chats
01:53 Overview of Invest Industrial
03:13 Strategic Importance of Local Presence
05:52 Building Relationships in New Markets
08:04 Understanding the Invest Industrial Brand
09:56 Prioritizing International Expansion
12:28 Aligning Investment Strategies
15:24 Key Metrics for Market Opportunities
17:24 Challenges in Market Entry
20:35 Differentiating Value Creation Strategies
23:23 Opportunities in GCC and Asia
24:32 Reflections on Dubai’s Vision and Future Prospects
25:13 Exploring Opportunities in Southeast Asia and Japan
26:48 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments