22 July 2020

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises the Haniel subsidiary ROVEMA on the acquisition of Hassia Packaging Pvt. Ltd. (hereinafter "Hassia India"), a specialist for the packaging of powdery, lumpy and liquid products. Up to now, Hassia India was part of the IMA S.p.A. Group and is particularly well established in the mid-price segment in Asia and Africa. By means of this transaction, ROVEMA will be able to further expand its international portfolio and thus, above all, serve the mid-price segment in Asia and Africa, which was of no importance so far, faster and in a more reliable quality. Hassia India generates approx. 77% of its sales with the manufacture and sale of so-called vertical form fill seal machines (VFFS machinery). It has already commissioned around 1,000 such machines in over 30 countries.

With its extremely good service orientation and intensive experience in the field of sustainability, Hassia India fits precisely into the strategic orientation of ROVEMA, says Managing Director Jens Torkel. The sustainable orientation was also a decisive factor for the long-term cooperation of ROVEMA and Hassia India. The long-standing Managing Director of Hassia India K. Ravi is convinced that the interaction of innovation and adaptation of German technologies for the Indian market will enable Hassia India to grant its customers new attractive offers and a plus in technology as well as added value. The approximately 100 employees of Hassia India at the production site in Pune will be taken over.

The transaction demonstrates the long-standing client relationship between Haniel and GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ. GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ has already advised Haniel on the acquisition of the ROVEMA Group in October 2017. Previously, GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ assisted Haniel in the acquisition of Bekaert Textiles (2015) and the two-stage acquisition of Rentokil Inital by the Haniel subsidiary CWS-boco (establishment of the joint venture in 2016/2017 and exit of Rentokil Initital plc in 2019). In 2018/2019, GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ also advised Haniel on the reduction of its stake in METRO AG through the gradual sale to EP Global Commerce.

HANIEL (Inhouse law Duisburg):

Dr Thomas Bentler (Head of General Legal)

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ (Düsseldorf):
Dr Jan Hermes (Managing Counsel), Dr Andreas Merkner (Partner) – both Corporate; Dr Christian Karbaum (Partner) – Competition

PSA Legal Counsellors:

Priti Suri (Founder Partner), Arya Tripathy (Principal Associate)

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ, with currently 26 lawyers, specialises in the areas of Corporate & Competition. As a focused boutique law firm, GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ from Düsseldorf advises companies listed on the DAX30, MDAX or TecDAX, upscale medium-sized companies, which are often market and technology leaders in their sectors, as well as foreign, globally active groups and investors, both nationally and internationally, on corporate and partnership law, M&As, restructuring and reorganisation, antitrust law, in particular with respect to antitrust fine and merger control proceedings, corporate litigation and compliance issues.

The press release is available for download here: GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises Haniel subsidiary ROVEMA on the acquisition of Hassia India

6 February 2020

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ has advised Crosby Group (Crosby) on the acquisition of Schmiedestück-Vertrieb Feuerstein (Feubo), Hattingen/Germany, a global leader in innovating, developing, and selling offshore mooring components for the oil and gas and wind energy markets.

Oliver Feuerstein, the CEO of Feubo, will continue to lead the Feubo team and operation. The facility in Hattingen will become the key engineering and innovation center as well as Crosby's center of excellence for mooring components. Feuerstein said that the acquisition was an exciting new chapter for the company, its employees as well as its customers. With Crosby’s global presence, Feubo will be put into the position to increase its reach and increase the pace of innovation. He also added Crosby and Feubo shared the same values: safety, reliability and innovation.

Crosby intends to expand its offshore product portfolio and end market reach with this acquisition. Feubo's position as a leader and innovator in mooring components, and the opportunity to leverage its world-class engineering and innovation competency, made this acquisition a compelling addition to Crosby.

US-based Crosby Group is the globally leading manufacturer of premium accessories used in lifting, rigging, and securement applications. The company has the reputation around the world for providing a broad range of products suitable for the most demanding of operating conditions with uncompromising quality. With the acquisition of Feubo, the company adds kenter shackles, anchor shackles, swivels, sockets and other accessories.

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ is delighted to have accompanied Crosby's first acquisition in Germany.

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ (Düsseldorf):
Dr Jan Hermes (Managing Counsel – Federführung), Carsten Lamberth (Associate)

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ hat in dieser Transaktion mit folgenden Partnerkanzleien zusammengearbeitet:

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ has worked together with its network partners Dr Simeon Held (held jaguttis Rechtsanwälte – public law), Dr Alexander Ulrich (KLIEMT.Arbeitsrecht – labour law) and Thomas Schmitz (Hoyng ROKH Monegier – IP) on this transaction.

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ specialises in the fields of corporate and competition law and currently employs 27 attorneys. Based in Düsseldorf, the highly specialised law firm advises well known national and international clients in corporate and competition law. In three consecutive years the law firm received one of the prestigious JUVE-Awards (2012 for competition law, 2013 as Best Law Firm of the West as well as 2014 for corporate law) and has been nominated for the JUVE Award "Law Firm of the Year" in 2018.

The press release is available for download here: GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises Crosby Group on the acquisition of Feubo

18 January 2019

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advised food manufacturer C.H. Guenther & Son, Texas, USA on German merger control regarding the acquisition of industrial bakery Wback, Bönen, Germany. Wback produces soft rolls especially for burgers in plants in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. The company's main customers include Burger King.

The soft roll specialist founded by Peter Wendeln in the district of Unna in 2003 was acquired in 2013 by the Frankfurt holding company Halder, which now sold Wback to C.H. Guenther & Son.

C.H. Guenther & Son (CHG) was founded in 1851 by the German emigrant Carl Hilmar Guenther. The company, which has about 3,500 employees, has production facilities in the USA, Canada, Great Britain and Belgium. Last spring, the investment company Pritzker Private Capital Partners (PPC Partners) acquired the family business.

Kirkland & Ellis (Munich):
Dr Benjamin Leyendecker, Dr Thomas Krawitz (both partner corporate/M&A), Dr Oded Schein (partner tax law), Sarah Jordan, Thomas Wilson (both partner competition, London), Benjamin Clinger, Adam Wexner (both partner M&A/Private Equity, Chicago), Michelle Kilkenny, Katie Bolanowski (both partner Debt Finance, Chicago), AlexandraFarmer (partner environmental law, Washington), Greta-Josefin Harnisch (associate corporate/M&A), Dr Samuel Frommelt (associate corporate/M&A), Daniel Hiemer (associate tax law), Dr Katharina Hohmann (associate financing), Carolyn Aiken (associate debt finance, Chicago), Aaron Newell (associate environmental law, Washington)

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ (Düsseldorf):
Dr Markus Wirtz, Dr Silke Möller (both partner), Dr Marc Heltemes (associate) – all competition

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ is a highly specialized German boutique law firm practicing in the fields of corporate and competition law with currently 27 attorneys. The Düsseldorf-based law firm advises national and international clients in corporate and competition law. In three consecutive years the law firm received one of the prestigious JUVE Awards (2012 for competition law, 2013 as Best Law Firm of the West as well as 2014 for corporate law) and was nominated for last year's JUVE Award "Law Firm of the Year".

The press release is available for download here: GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises C.H. Guenther & Son on the acquisition of Wback

5 December 2018

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ has advised Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc, Cheltenham, United Kingdom (LSE:SPX) on the sale of its subsidiary HygroMatik GmbH to CAREL Industries SpA, Padova, Italy (BIT:CRL) for a total cash consideration of EUR 59.0 million on a debt free, cash free basis.

HygroMatik, headquartered near Hamburg Germany, is one of the leading manufacturers and brands in premium commercial and industrial air humidification equipment in Europe with a strong position in the public buildings, spa and wellness sectors.

Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc comprises two world-leading businesses, Spirax Sarco for steam and electrical thermal energy solutions and Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group for niche peristaltic pumps and associated fluid path technologies. The Group employs over 7,400 people. Its shares have been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1959.

In 2017, GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advised Spirax-Sarco on the acquisition of Gestra AG, a technology leader in the production of valves and control systems for steam and fluid process control. Earlier this year the firm assisted Spirax-Sarco in the acquisition of qonqave GmbH, a developer of innovative products based on Conveying Wave Technology.

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ and the Spirax-Sarco General Counsel and Group Legal function worked closely together in this transaction.

Spirax-Sarco (Cheltenham):
Andy Robson (General Counsel), Kasim Hussain, Steven Bull, Amanda Janulis (all corporate counsel)

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ (Düsseldorf):
Dr Achim Glade (partner), Dr Jan Hermes (managing counsel), Dr Christof Wagner (associate) – all Corporate / M&A; Dr Markus Wirtz (partner) – Competition

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ is a highly specialized German boutique law firm practising in the fields of corporate and competition law with currently 26 attorneys. The Düsseldorf-based law firm advises national and international clients in corporate and competition law. In three consecutive years the law firm received one of the prestigious JUVE Awards (2012 for competition law, 2013 as Best Law Firm of the West as well as 2014 for corporate law) and was nominated for this year's JUVE Award "Law Firm of the Year".

The press release is available for download here: GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc on disposal of HygroMatik GmbH

27 August 2018

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ has advised Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH (Haniel) on the reduction in the shareholding on METRO AG. On 24 August 2018, Haniel Finance Deutschland GmbH, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH (Haniel) signed an agreement to sell 7.3 per cent of the issued ordinary shares of METRO AG to EP Global Commerce GmbH (EPGC), Germany. Haniel, the largest single shareholder of METRO AG, has also agreed with EPGC that they may acquire up to 15.2 per cent of the issued ordinary shares of METRO AG under a call option. The parties have agreed not to disclose the agreed purchase price. The agreement between Haniel and EPGC is subject to approval of the Supervisory Board of Haniel and subject to antitrust clearance. Apart from that, the original stockholders Beisheim and Schmidt-Ruthenbeck as well as the CECONOMY AG (since the demerger of the old METRO AG) are still involved.

EP Global Commerce (EPGC) is an acquisition entity owned by the two investment partners, Patrik Tkáč (47 per cent) and Daniel Křetínský (53 per cent). Mr Tkáč is a co-founder and co- owner of the J&T group of companies, an international financial and private banking services provider and investment group active namely in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Mr Křetínský is a controlling shareholder, chairman and CEO of Energeticky a prumyslovy holding, a.s. (EPH), an international energy and infrastructure group based in the Czech Republic.

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ rendered advice on the structure of the transaction, the contract negotiations, on merger control as well as on corporate and competition law matters of the implementation.

In the last years GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ continually advised Haniel on important transactions, most recently in particular on the acquisition of packaging manufacturer ROVEMA (2017), on the foundation of a joint venture between Haniel subsidiary CWS-boco and Rentokil Initial (2016/2017), on the demerger of METRO (2016/2017) as well as on the acquisition of Bekaert Textiles (2015). Moreover, GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises Haniel on corporate and capital market law.

HANIEL (Inhouse law Duisburg):
Dr Peter Herz (General Counsel)

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ (Düsseldorf):
Dr Achim Glade, Dr Andreas Merkner (both partner corporate), Dr Markus Wirtz, Dr Christian Karbaum (both partner competition), Dr Christof Wagner (associate corporate)

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ specialises in the fields of corporate and competition law and currently employs 24 attorneys. The Düsseldorf-based law firm advises national and international clients in corporate and competition law. In three consecutive years the law firm received one of the prestigious JUVE Awards (2012 for competition law, 2013 as Best Law Firm of the West as well as 2014 for corporate law) and is nominated for this year's JUVE Award "Law Firm of the Year".

The press release is available for download here: GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises Haniel on reduction in the shareholding on METRO

2 August 2017

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ rendered merger control and competition law advice to United Internet concerning the creation of a joint affiliate network with Axel Springer.

As part of the transaction, United Internet will contribute its affiliate marketing business operated by affilinet to AWIN AG. Once the transaction completes, following the approval of anti-trust authorities, Axel Springer will own 80 percent of the company, and United Internet 20 percent. Prior to this transaction, Axel Springer will take over the AWIN AG shares currently owned by Swisscom (47.5 percent), under an option agreement.

In the past GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advised United Internet on merger control in international acquisitions, e.g. of Drillisch, Strato, TeleColumbus and Versatel.

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ (Düsseldorf):
Dr Markus Wirtz (partner), Dr Christian Karbaum (partner), Sarah Groh (associate) - all competition

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ specialises in the fields of corporate and competition law and currently employs 24 attorneys. The law firm was founded in 2007 in Düsseldorf and advises national and international clients in corporate and competition law. In three consecutive years he law firm received one of the prestigious JUVE Awards (2012 for competition law, 2013 as Best Law Firm of the West as well as 2014 for corporate law). In 2015, the law firm received the "Germany Client Service Firm of the Year" award from Chambers Europe. In 2017, GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ celebrates its 10^th anniversary.

The press release is available for download here: GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises United Internet on the formation of a joint affiliate network with Axel Springer

25 April 2017

German boutique law firm GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ has promoted Christian Karbaum to partner in the firm's competition practice. Karbaum, 37, joined GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ as an associate in February 2011. He was promoted to counsel in 2015. Before this, he worked in the London office of a large American law firm and also spent time in a leading British firm.

"I am delighted and proud about the promotion and excited to be a partner of such a dynamically and sustainably growing law firm," says Karbaum. "This gives me the opportunity to contribute as partner to the impressive development and success of GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ's competition practice."

Karbaum focuses his practice on merger control, cartel investigations and antitrust litigation. His recent transactional work includes representing, among others, Internet and Access specialist United Internet (1&1, GMX, WEB.DE) in international acquisitions e.g. of Home.Pl and Strato AG or acting for Haniel and its subsidiary CWS-boco in acquiring certain continental European businesses of Rentokil Initial. In his litigation practice, Karbaum is advising several clients in follow-on damage cases on the defence side (e.g. in the cartel cases rail technology, drugstore products, flour, gas insulated switchgears) or on behalf of corporate claimants (e.g. air cargo or fire fighting vehicles). In the field of enforcing standard essential patents the Glade Michel Wirtz team recently advised Samsung in a multinational patent dispute with Unwired Planet and Ericsson.

Markus M. Wirtz, head of the firm's competition practice, says: "We are delighted about Christian Karbaum's promotion to partner. He is an outstanding lawyer with vision and the skills to make his way into the top ranks of competition law."

Glade Michel Wirtz now has three partners in its competition practice.

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ specialises in the fields of corporate and competition law and currently employs 22 attorneys. The law firm was founded in 2007 in Düsseldorf and advises national and international clients in corporate and competition law. In three consecutive years, the law firm received one of the prestigious JUVE Awards (2012 for competition law, 2013 as Best Law Firm of the West as well as 2014 for corporate law). In 2015, the law firm was shortlisted as JUVE law firm of the year and received the "Germany Client Service Firm of the Year" award from Chambers Europe.

The press release is available for download here: GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ promotes third competition partner

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ and the Spirax-Sarco General Counsel and Group Legal function worked closely together in this transaction.

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ (Düsseldorf):
Dr Achim Glade (Leading Partner), Dr Jan Hermes (Managing Counsel), Dr Sebastian Henrich (Associate), Dr Christof Wagner (Associate) – all Corporate/M&A

Dr Markus Wirtz (Partner), Dr Wiebke Carstensen (Associate) – both Competition

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ acts as advisor to Spirax-Sarco jointly with Dr Simeon Held (held jaguttis, Public Law), Dr Alexander Ulrich (Kliemt & Vollstädt, Labour Law), Thomas H. Schmitz, Katharina Frey (HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER, Intellectual Property)

Spirax-Sarco: Andy Robson (General Counsel), Steven Bull (Corporate Counsel), Amanda Janulis (Corporate Counsel) and Gabrielle Phyo (Corporate Counsel)

GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ specialises in the fields of corporate and competition law and currently employs 22 attorneys. The law firm was founded in 2007 in Düsseldorf and advises national and international clients in corporate and competition law. In three consecutive years, the law firm received one of the prestigious JUVE Awards (2012 for competition law, 2013 as Best Law Firm of the West as well as 2014 for corporate law). In 2015, the law firm was shortlisted as JUVE law firm of the year and received the "Germany Client Service Firm of the Year" award from Chambers Europe.

The press release is available for download here: GLADE MICHEL WIRTZ advises Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc on the acquisition of Gestra from Flowserve Corporation