On 22 March 2017, Acceleratio Capital N.V. and GfK-Nürnberg, Gesellschaft für Konsum-, Markt- und Absatzforschung e.V. (Association for Consumer, Marketing and Sales Research) informed GfK SE that they intend to carry out a squeeze-out resulting in the transfer of the minority shareholders' shares to the majority shareholder Acceleratio Capital N.V., a holding company controlled by funds advised by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. ("KKR").

GfK SE is a leading global market research company, listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. By turning big data into smart data, GfK SE enables clients such as major advertisers, consumer goods manufacturers and broadcasters to improve their competitive edge and enrich consumers' experiences and choices.

Hengeler Mueller is advising KKR on the transaction. The Hengeler Mueller team includes partners Maximilian Schiessl and Bernd Wirbel (both Corporate/M&A), Oliver Rieckers, (Corporate) (all Düsseldorf) as well as associates Matthias Cloppenburg and Maximilian Schauf (both Corporate/M&A, Düsseldorf). Hengeler Mueller had already advised KKR on the voluntary public tender offer for GfK SE last year.