Simpson Thacher represented J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lead arranger, and J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as facility agent, in connection with the refinancing of the $3.3 billion term loan under Formula One Group’s senior secured credit facilities.

Formula One Group is a group of companies responsible for the promotion of the Formula One World Championship, the highest class of single-seat auto racing that is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).

Ashurst advised funds managed by DPE Deutsche Private Equity Management III GmbH (DPE) on the financing of the acquisition of shares in Austrian VTU Anlagenplanung & Lieferung GmbH and German VTU Engineering Deutschland GmbH. The companies provide plant engineering services to companies in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemical, metallurgy and oil and gas industries. The parties agreed not to disclose the details of the transaction.

Eversheds Sutherland has advised GuarantCo Ltd on the provision of a re-guarantee facility, worth up to $74 million, to the guarantors of a number of financial institutions who provide loans to small and medium sized enterprises in Africa.

The facility, provided to the African Guarantee Fund for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and the African Guarantee Fund pour les petites et moyennes enterprises (AGF West Africa), was signed yesterday (1 March 2018).

Paul Hastings LL has acted for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup as arrangers in respect of the financing for the recommended public-to-private acquisition by Advent International of Laird PLC for approximately £1 billion.  AI Ladder Limited ("Bidco") (a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of funds managed by Advent International Corporation) and UK electronics and technology business Laird reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Laird by Bidco.

Davis Polk is advising Comcast Corporation in connection with its £22.1 billion ($30.8 billion) possible cash offer to acquire the entire share capital of Sky plc. Under the terms of Comcast’s proposal, Sky shareholders would receive £12.50 in cash for each share. If made, the offer, that would be implemented as a tender offer with a 50% plus one share acceptance condition, would be subject to regulatory and antitrust approvals and other customary conditions.

DLA Piper has advised a consortium of five leading international banks led by Deutsche Bank AG as mandated lead arrangers in connection with a US$ 175 million secured term loan facility to three Barbados borrowers, which indirectly own Excel Centre, a grade-A office tower with a total space of over 41,000 square meters located in Beijing’s Financial Street.

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) advised a consortium of banks lead by Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank and Export-Import Bank of China, in the EUR 3.7 billion Refinancing of Midea Gruppe in connection with the acquisition of German KUKA AG.

KUKA AG, one of the leading producers of intelligent automation solutions, was acquired by Chinese Midea Group in 2016. Initially, Midea Group agreed a short term acquisition financing, which was now refinanced for a longer term.

Davis Polk is advising Temenos Group AG in connection with its £1.4 billion recommended cash offer to acquire the entire share capital of Fidessa group plc. Fidessa shareholders will receive £35.67 in cash for each share together with a final and special dividend of 79.7 pence per share. Credit Suisse have provided a senior unsecured bridge facility to finance the offer. The offer, that will be implemented by way of a U.K. scheme of arrangement, is subject to regulatory and antitrust approvals and other customary conditions.

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has advised ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch, as facility agent for a syndicate of international lenders comprising ING Bank, Danish Ship Finance, Development Bank of Japan, Oversea- Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd and Société Générale on the provision of a US$150m secured term loan facility to BW LPG Holding Ltd (“BW LPG”).

Shearman & Sterling advised Cathay Capital Private Equity (“Cathay”) on financing the acquisition of a majority stake in the Plettenberg-based automotive supplier E. WINKEMANN. The majority stake will be acquired by the Cathay Capital MidCap Fund. The sellers, funds managed by Equistone Partners Europe and E. WINKEMANN’s management, remain invested in the company. The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed and completion of the sale is subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.