Deals

ARQIS advised Inflexion Private Equity Partners on the acquisition of finanzen.net Group from Axel Springer.

finanzen.net operates the largest finance portal in the DACH region, finanzen.net, and the neobroker finanzen.net zero. 90 percent of the shares were acquired from the media company Axel Springer, the remaining shares were acquired from the two founders. Inflexion plans to integrate finanzen.net more closely after the acquisition. The company's three pillars, the finance portal finanzen.net, the neobroker zero and the trading software platform for semi-professional retail investors Traderfox, are planned to be further expanded and new savings and investment products will be integrated. The aim is to create synergies and promote the company's further growth. Following the transaction, the current management will remain in place. The acquisition is still subject to merger and investment control clearances.

Inflexion is a leading European private equity firm. The Inflexion funds, with offices in London, Manchester, Amsterdam, Stockholm and Frankfurt/Main, invest in a wide range of sectors. The current investment is made by Buyout Fund VI and is the second investment, following Tierarzt Plus Partner, in the DACH region since Inflexion opened its Frankfurt office earlier this year. All funds advised by Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP have assets under management of around eleven billion British pounds.

Die finanzen.net-Gruppe ist ein führendes Finanzportal in Deutschland, das seit 2010 Teil der Axel Springer-Gruppe ist und Daten zur aktuellen Entwicklung an den Weltmärkten bereitstellt. Zum Unternehmen gehören Ableger in Österreich, der Schweiz und den USA. Neben dem Portal gehören ein Neobroker und die Trading-Software Traderfox zur Unternehmensgruppe.

Axel Springer Group, headquartered in Berlin, is an internationally operating media and technology company. It is known for its various media brands.

ARQIS has been mandated by Inflexion for the first time. ARQIS partner Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze was recommended to Inflexion by a contact in the market. ARQIS advised Inflexion alongside a team from Latham & Watkins.

Advisor to Inflexion

ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze (Lead) Christos Choudeloudis (Internal Project Lead, both Transactions), Partner: Dr. Friedrich Gebert (Regulatory), Dr. Mirjam Boche (Risk), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Tobias Neufeld (Data Law), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP), Counsel: Sina Janke (Compliance), Anja Mehrtens (HR Law), Managing Associates:, Nora Stratmann, Rolf Tichy (both IP), Paul Vermeulen (Litigation), Associates: Conrad Wiza (Transactions), Tim Bresemann (Real Estate), Hannah Düwel, Dr. Bernhard Gröhe, Finn-Ole Münchow (all Regulatory), Rebecca Gester, Thomas Lipsky (both IP), Jasmin Grünen (Tax), Marius Mesenbrink (Japan), Dr. Hendrik Völkerding (HR Law), Trademarks: Carolin von Fritsch, Legal Specialist: Konstantinos Strempas (Transactions)

ARQIS has advised the Japanese SINTOKOGIO Ltd. on the acquisition of all shares in AGTOS Gesellschaft für technische Oberflächensysteme mbH. The agreement aims to ensure the expansion of SINTO Group's portfolio in Europe, as well as the further long-term development and strategic growth of AGTOS with its headquarters in Emsdetten (Germany) and its factory in Konin (Poland). The transaction is expected to be completed by mid-December 2024.

SINTOKOGIO Ltd., a group of companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, is a leading global manufacturer of foundry equipment with around 50 subsidiaries worldwide. The company supplies customers from a range of industrial sectors with solutions for surface treatment, environmental preservation, material handling, mechatronics and consumables.

AGTOS Gesellschaft für technische Oberflächensysteme mbH, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Emsdetten, specializes in the design and manufacture of wheel shot blast systems. Its customers include companies primarily from the automotive and automotive supply industry, as well as the fastening and mechanical engineering industries.

The mandate is headed by ARQIS partner Eberhard Hafermalz of the Japan Desk. The Japan Desk regularly advises Japanese companies on transactions in Germany.

Advisor to SINTOKOGIO Ltd.

ARQIS (Dusseldorf/Munich): Partners: Eberhard Hafermalz (Lead, Japan Desk), Dr. Shigeo Yamaguchi (Japan Desk), Dr. Friedrich Gebert (Regulatory), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Marcus Nothhelfer (Commercial/IP), Counsel: Anja Mehrtens (HR Law), Dr. Yohei Nagata-Vogelsang (Japan Desk), Dennis Reisich (Tax), Managing Associates: Diana Puchowezki (Real Estate), Nora Stratmann (Commercial/IP), Rolf Tichy (IP), Associates: Kiyomi Zimmer, Marius Mesenbrink (both Japan Desk), Dr. Bernhard Gröhe (Regulatory), Thomas Lipsky (IP), Dr. Hendrik Völkerding (HR Law)

ARQIS advised HÄRTHA GROUP GmbH on all legal aspects of the strategic expansion of its market position in the south of Germany. With the acquisition of Donau-Härterei GmbH, HÄRTHA is further expanding and consolidating its position in the attractive hardening market in southern Germany. At the same time, the core business of HÄRTHA GROUP in the field of surface and coating technology is strengthened and the successful growth strategy is consistently pursued. The transaction was put into effect in October 2024.

HÄRTHA GROUP GmbH, headquartered in Alsdorf (North Rhine-Westphalia), is an internationally operating and leading supplier in the field of metal refining. With twelve locations in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, the Group specializes in heat treatment processes and coating solutions and has customers from various industries (electromobility, toolmaking, rail transportation, wind energy, medical technology and aviation).

Donau-Härterei GmbH, based in Neu-Ulm (Baden-Württemberg), has been active in the heat treatment business since 1989. The portfolio of the established company includes customers from various industrial sectors such as mechanical and plant engineering, construction and agricultural machinery, toolmaking and mobility. The previous management of Donau-Härterei will remain part of the company also after its integration into HÄRTHA GROUP.

The mandate is headed by ARQIS partner Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze. The team around ARQIS partner Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze (private equity) regularly advises HÄRTHA on corporate acquisitions (most recently on the acquisition of Fortè Wärmebehandlung GmbH) and on real estate transactions headed by Dr. Ulrich Lienhard.

Advisor to HÄRTHA Group GmbH

ARQIS (Dusseldorf/Munich): Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze (Lead, Transactions), Partner: Thomas Chwalek (Transactions), Johannes Landry (Restructuring), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Tobias Neufeld (Data Law), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP), Counsel: Sina Janke (Compliance), Jens Knipping (Tax), Anja Mehrtens (HR Law), Managing Associates: Laura Ally Rizzi, Dr. Maximilian Backhaus, Malte Griepenburg (all Transactions), Tim Bresemann (Real Estate), Daniel Schlemann (Data Law), Nora Stratmann, Rolf Tichy (both IP), Associates: Hannah Düwel (Regulatory), Ebru Köroglu (Transactions), Thomas Lipsky (IP), Marius Mesenbrink (Japan Desk/M&A), Anna Munsch (HR Law)

ARQIS advised Deichmann SE on the acquisition of shoe trademark rights from fashion group Esprit, providing advice on all insolvency law aspects. Deichmann SE has signed a binding agreement with Esprit for the acquisition of the shoe trademark rights and other intangible assets. The creditors' committees of the seven insolvent German Esprit companies and the insolvency monitor have already given their approval, as has the group holding company Esprit Holdings Ltd. in Hong Kong.

On 1 August 2024, the Local Court of Düsseldorf opened the insolvency proceedings in self-administration for seven German Esprit companies. Deichmann has been a licensee of Esprit since 2019 and has been selling shoes of the fashion brand ever since. By acquiring the trademark rights, Deichmann can continue to offer the shoe collections in the long term.

Deichmann SE, based in Essen, was founded in 1913 and is 100 per cent family-owned. As the market leader in European shoe retailing, it is active in over 30 countries worldwide and employs over 49,000 people.

Until its insolvency, Esprit Europe GmbH, based in Ratingen near Düsseldorf, was the fashion group's parent company in Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, the Scandinavian countries, Poland and the UK. The group was active in around 40 countries.

The mandate is headed by ARQIS partner Johannes Landry.

Advisor to Deichmann

ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Johannes Landry (Lead, Insolvency Law)

ARQIS has advised Megger Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in IPS Group.

Megger has increased its shareholding in IPS Group to a majority stake, allowing the company to transition into data analytics and asset performance management for electrical utilities. Megger, established in 1895, offers electrical testing and measuring equipment as well as electrical monitoring solutions, serving the Electrical Supply Industry. The IPS Group is a global software company with specialized solutions for energy supply companies, addressing Asset Performance Management.

The acquisition of IPS Group follows Megger’s initial investment in a minority stake of the firm in 2021 and aims to deepen the integration between the two companies. Dr. Andrew Dodds, joint CEO of Megger Group, commented, “Utilities and network operators face unprecedented challenges from integrating renewable energy sources, coupled with intensifying pressure on budgets and network reliability. We’re combining our legacy of precision measurement and safety with IPS’s cutting-edge software capabilities to offer comprehensive solutions to meet these modern challenges.”

The ARQIS team led by Dr. Lars Laeger has regularly advised Megger on M&A transactions in the past, including Megger’s acquisition of the Power Diagnostix Group in 2019 and the initial investment in IPS Group in 2021.

Advisors to Megger

ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Dr. Lars Laeger (M&A, Federführung), Thomas Chwalek (M&A), Johannes Landry (Commercial); Counsel: Dennis Reisich (Steuerrecht); Associates: Katrin Ludwig, Giulia Kögel (beide M&A)

The acquisition of the Katharinenhof Group was part of a combined transaction. Next to the operations, the respective real estate portfolio was sold to funds managed by Civitas Investment Management Limited. The total transaction volume is indicated by the parties at slightly more than EUR 300 million.

Katharinenhof consists of 27 facilities that offer more than 3,000 places for inpatient care and assisted living. The operations will be taken over by the Alloheim Group completely. With this acquisition the company manifests its leading position within the sector and will widen its capacities especially in the areas of Berlin, Hamburg, Brandenburg and Saxony.

‘Katharinenhof and Alloheim are an ideal combination in many aspects: both companies focus on a high quality in care, attach great importance to training new skilled employees and are working on offering integrated forms of care,’ expresses Dr. Steffen Hehner, CEO of Alloheim Senioren-Residenzen SE, explaining the decision to take over Katharinenhof.

Alloheim Group is the largest private provider of inpatient and outpatient care services in Germany. Throughout the country the company operates 258 senior residences, 94 assisted living centres and 25 outpatient care services. In total Alloheim employs about 23,000 people and has capacities for more than 28,000 patients. With the acquisition the number of senior residences will increase to 285.

The combination of the acquisition of the operative business as well as the property portfolio offered particular challenges in both procedural and legal terms. The team led by ARQIS partner Dr. Ulrich Lienhard provided support in connection with the complex rental agreements with Civitas. The private equity team led by Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze assisted Alloheim on the M+A side, as it has done on many occasions since 2010.

Advisors Alloheim Group

ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Core Deal Team: Dr. Jörn-Christian Schulze (Lead), Malte Griepenburg, Katrin Ludwig (Transactions), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard, Tim Bresemann (both Real Estate).

Partner: Dr. Christof Schneider, Johannes Landry (both Transactions), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP), Counsel: Jens Knipping (Tax), Anja Mehrtens (HR Law), Sina Janke (Compliance); Managing Associates: Christos Choudeloudis, Benjamin Bandur, Anselm Graf, Dr. Denis Schütz (Transactions), Diana Puchowezki (Real Estate), Daniel Schlemann (Data.Law), Nora Stratmann, Rolf Tichy (both IP), Martin Weingärtner (Pensions); Associates: Rebecca Gester (IP), Ebru Köroglu, Conrad Wiza (both Transactions), Thomas Lipsky (IP), Marius Mesenbrink (Japan), Sabine Müller, Dr. Dennis Ratschkowski (both HR Law); Legal Specialists: Qing Xia (Transactions).

ARQIS has advised Cherry Ventures and Mosaic Ventures on the sale of their shares in Ninetailed to Contentful.

Contentful acquired through is German subsidiary Contentful GmbH the shares from the lead investors Cherry and Mosaic as well as the shares from the other shareholders, including the founders Alexander Braunreuther and Andy Kaiser.

Contentful with its headquarter in San Francisco, California, is a leading composable content platform that allows users to orchestrate and structure digital content. Ninetailed is a pioneer of structured content personalization and experimentation. Unlike legacy solutions, the combined offering will leverage the power of composability, an API-first architecture, Generative AI, and lightning-fast edge delivery. Customers will have the ability to quickly and easily identify, select, experiment, and analyze personalized experiences across channels without creating new workflows. This will enable brands to generate higher Return on Investment (ROI) from their content and data investments and ultimately increase revenue through tailored customer journeys.

“Joining forces with Contentful means customers will benefit from a fully integrated, AI-native personalization solution paired with a robust composable content platform,” said Ninetailed co-founder and CEO Andy Kaiser. “My fellow co-founder Alexander Braunreuther, the Ninetailed team and I are beyond thrilled to be joining Contentful where we’ll have the opportunity and resources to rapidly iterate and bring category-changing innovations to market.”

Cherry Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm led by a team of entrepreneurs with experience building fast-scaling companies such as Zalando and Spotify. The firm backs Europe's boldest founders, usually as their first institutional investor, and supports them in everything from their go-to market strategy and the scaling of their businesses. Cherry Ventures has previously invested in the seed stage of over 100+ companies across Europe, focussing on climatetech, agritech, fintech, ecommerce, software, AI and more.

Mosaic Ventures is a Silicon Valley-style venture capital firm based in London, focused on Series A. They were the lead investors in the company’s $7.7 million Series A financing round. Mosaic Ventures’ partners have 60+ years of investing and operating experience in Europe and US West Coast with a focus on AI applied across SaaS, Fintech, Marketplaces, Digital Health, and EdTech.

The ARQIS team was led by Dr. Lars Laeger who already advised Cherry Ventures in the past on several pre-seed and seed investments in software/AI based start-ups.

Advisors Cherry Ventures and Mosaic Ventures

ARQIS (Dusseldorf/Munich): Dr. Lars Laeger (M&A, Lead), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP/Commercial); Counsel: Jens Knipping (Tax); Managing Associates: Benjamin Bandur, Dr. Denis Schütz (both M&A), Rolf Tichy, Nora Stratmann (both IP/Commercial); Associates: Conrad Wiza, Giulia Kögel (both M&A); Dr. Bernhard Gröhe (Regulatory); Legal Specialist: Konstantinos Strempas (M&A).

ARQIS has advised MIURA Co., LTD on the acquisition of all shares in CERTUSS Dampfautomaten GmbH & Co. KG. MIURA Co., LTD is a leading Japanese manufacturer of industrial boilers.

CERTUSS sells, installs, and repairs boilers and other equipment, and has built a solid business foundation as an industry leader in Germany. CERTUSS has developed business in Germany for more than 60 years and has built a strong relationship of trust with its customers. Through this grouping, both companies aim to develop new customers in Europe, as well as to improve business efficiency and provide higher quality products and services.

In this transaction, ARQIS acted for MIURA for the first time and on the basis of a referral by a long-standing Japanese client. ARQIS led an international team of legal counsel, including counsel in the USA and the UK.

Advisors to MIURA

ARQIS (Dusseldorf/Munich): Eberhard Hafermalz (Lead), Dr. Shigeo Yamaguchi (both Japan Desk/M&A), Dr. Friedrich Gebert (Regulatory), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Lisa-Marie Niklas (HR.Law), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP); Counsel: Donata Lasson (HR.Law), Dennis Reisich (Tax), Anja Mehrtens (HR.Law), Dr. Yohei Nagata-Vogelsang (Japan Desk/M&A); Managing Associates: Diana Puchowezki (Real Estate), Rolf Tichy (IP); Associates: Kiyomi Zimmer, Marius Mesenbrink (both Japan Desk/M&A), Dr. Bernhard Gröhe (Regulatory), Dr. Hendrik Völkerding, Anna Munsch (both HR.Law), Thomas Lipsky (IP).

ARQIS has advised Fast Fitness Japan, Inc. on the acquisition of a controlling share stake in Eighty 8 Health & Fitness B.V., which entity heads a group that holds the Master Franchisee Rights for Anytime Fitness in Germany.

Fast Fitness Japan, Inc. is listed on the prime market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and directly operates and franchises Anytime Fitness 24-hour 365-day fitness clubs as the Master Franchisee in Japan. It currently operates 1,100 clubs in Japan. Through this acquisition, Fast Fitness Japan may now expand its Anytime Fitness business to operations in Germany.

ARQIS (Lead Germany) collaborated with an international legal team consisting of law firms in The Netherlands and the USA.

Advisors to Fast Fitness Japan

ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Eberhard Hafermalz (Lead, Japan Desk/M&A), Marius Mesenbrink (Japan Desk/M&A), Partner: Dr. Friedrich Gebert (Regulatory), Johannes Landry (Restructuring), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate), Counsel: Anja Mehrtens (HR.Law); Associates: Dr. Bernhard Gröhe (Regulatory), Anna Munsch (HR.Law), Diana Puchowezki (Real Estate)

ARQIS has advised the Swiss investor group CONSTELLATION CAPITAL on the acquisition of HPN Industrieverpackungen GmbH and Peter Gomber GmbH. Both companies are now part of the ARCA Group, which belongs to CONSTELLATION.

HPN Industrieverpackungen GmbH from Baden-Wuerttemberg specializes in the production of wooden pallets, boxes and packaging services. Thanks to long-standing customer relationships and a high degree of digitalization, HPN can offer efficient and high-quality packaging solutions that meet individual customer needs.

Peter Gomber GmbH is a wooden packaging specialist in Rhineland-Palatinate that has been operated as a traditional family business since it was founded in 1946. Peter Gomber GmbH specializes in the manufacture of wooden pallets, boxes and packaging solutions and has achieved his success over the years through tailor-made solutions and close customer relationships, resulting in an excellent reputation in the region. Peter Gomber GmbH will keep its independent market presence. Franz Schuler, who has successfully managed the company for more than 20 years, will remain at the helm. Together with the support of ARCA, this ensures a succession solution for Peter Gomber GmbH and continuity for customers and partners.

The acquisition of HPN forms the basis of the ARCA Group's growth strategy and geographical expansion. Future acquisitions are intended to create a close-knit network of wood packaging and packaging service companies that will benefit from synergies in purchasing, the professionalization of processes and digital transformation. With its proprietary ERP system, HPN will play a key role within the ARCA Group, particularly in terms of digitalization. HPN will continue to operate independently on the market with the same management team, which will continue to support the further growth strategy of HPN and ARCA in the future. The managing director and former owner, Martin Fix, supports the strategic vision of ARCA and has reinvested significantly in the ARCA Group.

The ARCA Group is to be expanded through further acquisitions as part of a buy & build strategy to become the market leader in the field of wooden packaging and packaging services in German-speaking countries. The focus is on implementing a consolidation strategy in order to create a group of companies that offers customized packaging solutions and packaging services.

CONSTELLATION CAPITAL is a Swiss investment group founded in 1992 and based in Freienbach on Lake Zurich. It pursues a buy & build strategy that focuses on majority investments in medium-sized companies in the business service, education & lifestyle and healthcare sectors in Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

The ARQIS team led by Dr. Lars Laeger has already advised CONSTELLATION on transactions in the past and is now assisting CONSTELLATION for the first time with the acquisition of a platform as part of a buy & build strategy.

Advisors to CONSTELLATION CAPITAL

ARQIS (Dusseldorf/Munich): Dr. Lars Laeger (M&A, Lead), Thomas Chwalek (M&A), Johannes Landry (Financing), Dr. Ulrich Lienhard (Real Estate Law), Tobias Neufeld (Data Protection), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP/Commercial), Lisa-Marie Niklas (Employment Law); Counsel: Jens Knipping (Tax), Dr. Nima Hanifi-Atashgah (M&A), Anja Mehrtens, Donata Lasson (both Employment Law), Sina Janke (Compliance); Associates: Dr. Denis Schütz, Katrin Ludwig (both M&A), Tim Bresemann, Diana Puchowezki (both Real Estate Law), Carolin Schlütter-Lückel (Financing), Martin Weingärtner, Dr. Hendrik Völkerding, Sabine Müller, Anna Hellmann, Anna Munsch, Dr. Dennis Ratschkowski (all Employment Law), Daniel Schlemann, Marius Mesenbrink (both Data Protection), Thomas Lipsky, Rolf Tichy, Nora Stratmann (all IP/Commercial); Trademarks: Carolin von Fritsch; Legal Specialist: Qing Xia (M&A)

ARQIS has advised SachsenEnergie AG on the acquisition of a solar farm in Poland from German solar developers and installers Goldbeck Solar GmbH and SUNCATCHER Group.

SachsenEnergie AG acquired a 9-MWp solar power complex, being a cluster of two ground-mounted solar farms located in the western Polish town of Barlinek. Equipped with over 16,500 solar panels, the Barlinek plants are expected to be able to produce some 8,982 GWh of electricity per year, or enough to power around 4,000 households. Shortly after closing the productive site was commissioned in early 2024. The site is planned to be extended to 11.1 MW by the end of 2024.

SachsenEnergie AG is the largest municipal supplier in eastern Germany. The company would like to grow its renewable business via self-developed PV- and Wind-projects as well as further acquisitions in Germany and Europe. With PV Barlinek, SachsenEnergie AG acquired for the first time a ground-mounted PV system in Poland and thereby increased their geographical footprint.

ARQIS acted for SachsenEnergie AG for the first time. The lead partner Dr. Lars Laeger was recommended by the market. The client is significant for the law firm as it impressively underlines the special focus on M&A in regulated industries, in particular renewables. ARQIS was supported in Poland by Wolf Theiss in local law.

Advisors to SachsenEnergie AG

ARQIS (Dusseldorf): Dr. Lars Laeger (Lead; M&A), Partner: Dr. Friedrich Gebert (Public and Regulatory), Counsel: Jens Knipping (Tax), Managing Associates: Kamil Flak, Dr. Denis Schütz (both M&A), Associates: Dr. Bernhard Gröhe, Luise Schüling (both Public and Regulatory)

Wolf Theiss (Warsaw): Igor Muszynski, Pawel Szumowski and Marika Grzybowska

ARQIS has advised the Japanese Nifco Inc. on the sale of its subsidiary, Nifco Germany GmbH, to AEQUITA SE & Co. KGaA, a global industrial group headquartered in Munich. Nifco Germany develops and produces injection-molded plastic components for the automotive industry. The company generates revenues of more than EUR 200 million with over 1,100 employees across its locations in Germany, the USA, and Serbia.

Nifco Inc. is a leading manufacturer of plastic components and fasteners for the automotive and life-solution industries. With its headquarters in Japan, Nifco operates globally, providing a wide range of products contributing to the functionality and comfort of high-quality vehicles, household or fashion products. Nifco's commitment to innovation, quality, and environmental sustainability has made it a preferred partner for industry-leading companies worldwide.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024, subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

Advisors to Nifco Group

ARQIS (Dusseldorf/Munich): Dr. Shigeo Yamaguchi, Eberhard Hafermalz (both Lead; Japandesk/M&A), Partner: Dr. Mauritz von Einem (PE/Tax), Dr. Meiko Dillmann (Japandesk/M&A), Johannes Landry (Restructuring), Marcus Nothhelfer (IP/Commercial), Lisa-Marie Niklas (HR.Law), Counsel: Dennis Reisich (PE/Tax), Associates: Kiyomi Zimmer (Japandesk/M&A), Marius Mesenbrink (Japandesk/M&A), Thomas Lipsky (IP/Commercial), Anna Munsch (HR.Law), Daniel Schlemann (Data.Law)