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Alfamation is a world leader in the field of engineering functional test systems. They base their products off of specific customer requirements offering a wide range, from individual test system modules to complete automation turnkey test systems.
Alfamation has now been acquired by Intest. Intest is a US publicly traded company that is a global supplier of innovation test and process technology solutions. They test in key markets including, automative/EV, defence/aerospace industrial, life sciences and security as well as semiconductor manufacturing.
Masotti Cassella provided legal counsel including due diligence to SPA to closing for Intest during this acquisition deal. The lead partner was Mascia Cassella and their team specialising in Antitrust and tax matters. The team will continue with ongoing support for Intest to assist the target company in general legal matter from closing.
KPS Capital Partners, LP has successfully acquired Sport Group, a leading manufacturer of artificial turf systems and synthetic floor coverings for the sports and leisure industry. The acquisition involved purchasing all shares previously held by Equistone Partners Europe and other shareholders.
Sport Group, founded in 1969, generates an annual turnover exceeding 500 million Euros and operates globally with 19 subsidiaries and over 1,900 employees. The company has production facilities in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
NEUWERK, in collaboration with Kirkland & Ellis London, provided legal counsel to KPS and was responsible for all German law aspects of the deal. The financial terms of the transaction remain confidential pending regulatory approval.
Latham & Watkins advised Equistone Partners Europe as they exited from their stake in Sport Group.
"Here at NEUWERK, expertise meets innovation - across disciplines."
Throughout this project, my team at NEUWERK played a crucial role in facilitating a smooth transition for KPS Capital Partners. As the IP/IT partner, I collaborated closely with Kirsten Seeger, our Corporate/M&A partner, and the Kirkland & Ellis team in London. Our multidisciplinary team, comprising experts in various legal fields, worked diligently to address challenges and ensure a seamless acquisition for our client.
Initially, Kirsten and I devised a strategy focusing on our particular expertise in IP/IT and data protection. However, it soon became clear that our client required broader legal support. Leveraging NEUWERK's cross-disciplinary setup, we swiftly expanded our scope to cover various aspects of German law. This adaptability underscores NEUWERK's strength in addressing evolving client demands across diverse legal domains—a capability we take great pride in.
On this particular deal, our NEUWERK teams provided advice on corporate law, employment law, real estate law, corporate finance, commercial contract law, litigation, intellectual property law, information technology law, data protection, environmental law, and compliance. Neglecting any of these areas could have resulted in regulatory hurdles, contractual or compliance issues, which could have potentially jeopardized the deal's viability.
Working with a leading firm like Kirkland & Ellis on complex M&A transactions is both a privilege and a testament to our specialized expertise. M&A deals are intricate by nature, requiring not only sharp legal skills but also the capacity for swift, decisive action. The key to our partnership lies in our commitment to being more than just problem identifiers: we strive to be solution providers.
Over the past 15 years, I've provided transaction support in more than 100 deals – that level of expertise is shared by my partners here at NEUWERK. Our experience allows us to integrate our services seamlessly, align closely with the lead law firm, and provide clear, comprehensive solutions. Our collaboration is based on mutual respect and a focused, goal-oriented approach – we believe that's absolutely essential for the completion of any M&A deal.
Here at NEUWERK, we are embracing technological advancements that are reshaping our industry. A prime example is NEUWERK.AI, an innovative online course we've developed for legal professionals who want to deepen their understanding of artificial intelligence. This initiative is part of our broader effort to meet the growing client demand for expert counsel in AI-related matters, an area where we are actively leading and shaping the conversation.
In the past year, we've welcomed two new partners, strengthening our firm’s expertise and leadership. Since our establishment eight years ago with an initial team of five lawyers, NEUWERK has grown to 32 today, with over 50% women, reflecting our commitment to diversity and excellence. These efforts are key to our strategy for staying at the cutting edge of legal services.
A provider of connectivity and complementary marketing services has completed a management buyout supported by YFM Equity Partners.
Smart Numbers is a communications specialist providing small businesses with a mix of virtual telephone numbers, call management, website design, digital marketing, broadband, VoIP and office telephone systems.
This will support Smart Numbers in their growth and expansion aims using YFM’s business insight and investment.
Taylor Rose MW provided the legal advice for Smart Numbers.
“Taylor Rose MW were pleased to support the sellers in the noted MBO transaction and to see it through to completion with them. The transaction was not without its challenges and a few unexpected issues arose during the due diligence process, but given our experience as a team we were able to help our clients navigate and resolve these and ultimately enable them to reach a position all were happy with. We wish the new management team every success moving forwards with their growth and expansion plans and are excited to see what happens next on the Smart Numbers business journey.”
Starrett and MiddleGround Capital have signed a merger agreement at a rate of 416.19 per share, which represent almost 63% of the closing price of Starrett share. The operation is valued at approximately $122m.
Starrett is a leading manufacturer of high-end precision tools, cutting equipment and metrology systems. Once the merger is completed, Starrett will no longer be listed on any public market.
Machado Meyer Advogados worked as legal advisors during the process with Dechert LLP. They reviewed all aspects regarding Brazilian law. Working on this from Machado Meyer Advogados was, Paulo Henrique Carvalho Pinto and Guilherme Malouf as well as a multidisciplinary team for the purpose of addressing specific concerns in connection with the Brazilian legal frame such as, tax and labour matters.
Since 2020 Courts have been adapting and updating, first to remain effective during COVID and now to continue the pattern of efficiency and cost reduction using advanced technology.
Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk welcomed the changes made on the 29th April in the UK to the judiciary’s case management revival handbook which now states attendance through video link will be used when applicable.
Remote hearings will be used when…
To ensure accuracy and efficiency with remote hearings there are services in place to support those having to use the new system.
Rebel Wilson has recently published her memoir book, Rebel Rising in the US however, potential printed falsehoods have delayed proceedings in the UK.
The UK version will have multiple blacked out pages and paragraphs which reference Sacha Baron Cohen, the English actor, writer, producer and comedian. The sections include Rebel Wilson expressing her lack of comfortability when working with Cohen on the set of The Brothers Grimsby in 2016. Wilson states that Cohen often made rude and demeaning comments to her which
The Guardian reports these extracts elude to the inappropriate behaviour of Cohen and how he persisted with the aspect of Wilson shooting nude scenes which she was against.
Rebel Wilson explains in the book that parts are blocked out “due to the peculiarities of the law in England and Wales”.
Cohen’s representatives have stated that the chapter of the book in question was clearly not fact check thoroughly and argue that Wilson uses this topic to increase book sales.
They say,
“Printing falsehoods is against the law in the UK and Australia; this is not a ‘peculiarity’ as Ms Wilson said, but a legal principle that has existed for many hundreds of years.”
If Wilson is found to be using this information maliciously and for book sales this could come under a claim for Malicious falsehood.
When one competitor is trying to make untrue statements about another’s goods or services stating names and information including calculated slander against them which could cause financial loss as stated by Pinsent Masons.
If the defendant intended to publish the statement with improper motives such as, attracting bad publicity for the competitor with knowledge that the claims were false.
Cohen and representative have argued that Wilson is aware that she is spreading false information and calls on proof from film footage and set tapes.
Techniplast has acquired a stake in KW Apparecchi Scientifici and in the real estate company which rents the properties in which KW operates.
Techniplast is an Italian company and world leader in the animal housing sector, the designs produced in Italy and cutting edge equipment for animal houses and laboratory animals.
KW Apparecchi Scientifici is an Italian company active in the production, distribution and maintenance of refrigeration equipment for the conservation of Pharmaceutical and Biological products.
The legal counsel for KW Apparecchi Scientifici was provided by DSB - Avvocati. The team of lawyers consisted of Sebastiano Del Santo Beverini and Alessandro Papetti who handled aspects of labor law. Sebastiano Del Santo Beverini have a long standing partnership with Stefano Fabiani, the CEO and shareholder of KW and of the real estate company.
Support for KW Apparecchi Scientifici was successfully carried out with the hope and will of the client to strengthen and enrich the company on the market.
"Sebastiano Del Santo Beverini and his collaborators provided legal advice for Kw in the transfer of shareholdings to Tecniplast"
Euro Manganese have received funding from the investment group, Orion Resource Partners for the development and construction of a manganese mining project in the Czech Republic.
Euro Manganese is an investor in the Czech Republic and operates the Mangan Chvaletice subsidiary which holds explorations rights to manganese tailings in North-east Bohemia and is now developing a manganese extraction project.
‘This project is a unique waste to value recycling and remediation opportunity involving reprocessing old tailing from a decommissioned mine. It is also the only sizable resource of manganese in the European Union.’
PRK Partners s.r.o. provided legal counsel to Euro Manganese, their team included, Daniel Rosicky, Tomas Bures and Lucie Vorlova. They covered the overall legal support for the project including, negotiation of the convertible loan and royalty agreements as well as provision of security in various jurisdictions.
"We are proud to support Euro Manganese in this groundbreaking venture, which not only promises to revitalize manganese production in the European Union but also sets a new standard for environmental stewardship in the mining industry. Our comprehensive legal guidance aims to ensure the success and sustainability of the Chvaletice Manganese Project."
Elon Musk and the Australian safety commissioner are currently in a legal battle over content published on X.
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed his disgust at Elon Musk's actions to defend the content's place on the platform and according to The Guardian, calling him an,
"arrogant billionaire who thinks he is above the law."
The Australian court had ordered a 2 day injunction against X to hide posts globally containing the footage of the alleged stabbing of Bishop, Mar Mari Emmanuel on the 15 April 2024 in Sydney church.
The esafety commissioner had directed X to remove the posts from X for the global audience however, X has only blocked them in Australia pending a legal challenge. By only removing them from Australian users X still allows those outside of Australia as well as Australians using a VPM to access the content.
The content is deemed as class 1 under Australian classification law which is offensive violence with a high degree of detail.
The safety commissioner wishes to block violent videos from a wide audience and protect those on social media.
Elon Musk has argued that his idea for X is to promote free speech and to represent the truth. He posted a tweet which said,
“If any country is allowed to censor content for all countries which is what the Australian safety commissioner is demanding then what is to stop any country from controlling the entire internet”
Ralph Babet, the United Australian Party Senator posted the video on X and Facebook on Monday. Babet believe that people should witness the content and has spoken out against those wishing to have it removed, stating that they are “a threat to democracy”.
Esafety will be seeking a permanent injunction and civil penalties against X.
A further hearing is set to take place in the near future to determine whether X will take down the content.
Lodge Brothers Funeral directors is a family-owned business established in 1780, which has now transitioned to employee ownership though an Employee Ownership Trust.
This marks a significant milestone in the groups history as they now stand as pioneering funeral directors in the UK.
The existing board of Directors has retained their responsibility to steer the Group’s strategic vision. A Board of Trustees has been included to oversee the Employee Ownership Trust and ensure that the Group’s movements align with the best interests of the employees.
Outset Legal advised the Corporate Trustee on legal matters throughout this transition. As well as Castle Corporate Finance, introduced J. Gadd Associates to support Lodge Brothers’ transition. Thomas Snell & Passmore also provided legal support in regard to the sale of the EOT and dealing with the change of control regulations.
