A&O Shearman advises Freudenberg on DKK3.8bn take-over bid for Nilfisk

The takeover offer is supported by the Nilfisk board of directors. Major shareholder Kirkbi – the investment arm of the family that owns Lego, which holds around 20% – and other shareholders, which together hold a 50.9% stake, have signed irrevocable undertakings and likewise back the offer.

The announcement of the transaction was preceded by a structured auction process, from which Freudenberg emerged as the winner. Nilfisk shareholders can accept the takeover offer once the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority has authorized publication of the offer document. The offer will be settled if holders of at least 90% of the share capital accept the offer and all regulatory approvals have been obtained. 

A&O Shearman is coordinating an international legal team in more than ten jurisdictions. Moalem Weitemeyer is advising on Danish law.

The international A&O Shearman team is led by partner Dr. Hartmut Krause and counsel Alexander Wüpper (both M&A, both Frankfurt) and also included partners Dr. Udo Olgemöller (Public Law, Frankfurt) and Dr. Börries Ahrens (Antitrust, Hamburg), senior associates Dr. Stephan Bühner (Public Law, Frankfurt) and Dr. Julius von Düring as well as associates Hannah Bakir (both Antitrust, Hamburg), Dr. Helene Maskow, Jonathan Berz (both M&A) and Nils Najmann (Public Law, all Frankfurt).

The team also included more than 50 colleagues from the A&O Shearman offices in Australia, Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China.