International law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Canon Deutschland GmbH on the sale of CBS, its subsidiaries for printing services formed of Canon Deutschland Business Services GmbH and Canon Deutschland University Services GmbH, to the financial investor ASC Investment S.a r.l.

Pinsent Masons partner, Dr. Thomas Peschke and senior associates Julia Ohlerich and Dr. Heyo Maas have worked with Canon Group for many years, advising on numerous M&A transactions and corporate restructuring. However, after a successful tendering process, this was the first time the team had worked on a sell-side transaction for the group.

CBS employs approximately 300 people and serves nearly 60 key accounts. In addition to in-house printing services (including transaction printing), they also provide services such as the implementation of digital document workflows and the provision of creative services through its own design centre.

The buyer, ASC Investment S.a r.l, is an investment company with offices in Luxembourg and Munich. They specialises in the acquisition of medium-sized companies and will take over all employees and all 45 locations of the group.

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

The investment bank Bryan, Garnier & Co acted as financial advisor for Canon Germany and led the auction process for the sale of CBS. The project was managed in-house by head of the legal department of Canon Deutschland GmbH Jens Dohmgoergen LL.M, CFO of the group Dirk Meier and head of M&A for Canon Europe Ltd Darren Rayner.